East Coast Cosmetic Surgery

Breast Implant Recalls in Europe

2012-01-19T09:10:00.001-05:00

French plastic surgeon holding Poly
Implant Prosthese implants

Dear Dr. Danyo, my friend Rita said she was sent a news notification on her phone about silicone implants being banned in France. I didn't get a chance to read up but you did my sister’s breast augmentation and I’m pretty sure she has silicone implants. Should we be talking to you about having them taken out? Have you heard about this? Thanks.

Only if you had the surgery in Europe should you be concerned. It’s scary to hear stories of rupturing breast implants, but these silicone implants were distributed all over Europe by the French company, Poly Implant Prothèse. Fortunately for your sister, she had her breast augmentation done here at Danyo Plastic Surgery, so she can rest easy. All my breast implants are American-made and FDA approved.

Here are the details though, if you were wondering.

The company mentioned above, Poly Implant Prothèse, is responsible for about 1,000 damaged silicone breast implants in French women and another 40,000 in British women. When the implants ruptured, factory grade silicone was leaked into the body, causing severe discomfort and the death of one young French woman. The French government is telling women with these implants (about 30,000 total) to get them removed. The Brits are considering this as well, even though it will cost their health system somewhere in the range of 1.2 million British Pounds to do it. Since your sister’s breast augmentation was done here at our Delaware plastic surgery practice, she is not at risk. Thanks for the great inquiry!

To your Health & Beauty,

Dr. Joe Danyo

Don't Waste Your Fat, Bank It!

2011-09-12T16:30:00.000-04:00

Wouldn’t it be great to nix those problematic areas of fat while possibly saving your life at the same time?

Even though you may be within your healthy weight range, certain parts of the body may still harbor fatty deposits that cause bulging in all the wrong places. Yet, that muffin top and those thunder thighs can be easily removed with a simple liposuction procedure performed at my East Coast plastic surgery practice, and can also help your health later on down the road.

How can your fat help you?

Your fat happens to contain an abundant amount of stem cells. These particular cells have a unique ability to produce daughter cells that can become more stem cells or any other type of cell they are exposed to, ie: brain cells, liver cells, blood cells, etc. It’s this unique ability that makes scientists hope that stem cells may be able to cure specific ailments such as heart and liver disease, or even cancer at some point in the future. In fact, some people have already opted for stem cell surgeries with success.

Stem cells are even being studied as to whether or not they have a hand in causing fat transfers to be successful. Over the past several years liposuction techniques have evolved. SmartLipo, provided at my East Coast plastic surgery practice, and many other new lipo techniques now allow for more intact fat to be removed. The more intact fat, the more viable stem cells there are. Fat transfers done via any of the new lipo techniques tend to have a higher success rate, and scientist believe it’s due to the stem cell’s special ability.

So how do I save my fat?

Instead of allowing your plastic surgeon to simply dispose of your fat, you could place it in a fat bank for later use. Although the only fat bank currently resides in Dallas, this is bound to grow in popularity as we continue to understand the positive aspects of stem cells. The fact that there is a potential to save your life later on as well as shape your present day body is both promising and conducive to your health.

To your health and beauty,

Dr. Joe Danyo

When Brain and Stomach Collide

2011-09-07T23:51:00.000-04:00

Extra fat can be annoying, embarrassing, and, to some, unattractive. In some cases, fat can be removed via liposuction or a tummy tuck, which can be done at my East Coast plastic surgery practice. But patients that are very overweight or obese are not candidates; therefore, it is up to them to get their weight in order.

A healthy diet and exercise regime isn’t easy to follow. It becomes even harder when we don’t see our hard work pay off. And it’s hard to forgive ourselves if we fall off the wagon. But it’s nothing to fret over. In fact, new studies have determined that our brains may have a big hand in our overeating.

Consider the fact that twenty five percent of men and forty three percent of women attempt to diet and exercise each year. Roughly five to twenty percent lose weight and actually keep the weight off. How could so many determined people fall off the wagon? The blame is not on their unending stomach, but on their forever hungry brains. The stomach has no problem letting us know when we are full, but sometimes our brain isn’t as ready to stop noshing. And no matter how actively you avoid a juicy burger, as soon as you see one your brain can easily coerce you into sampling it.

With this in mind, scientists hope to find out why the brain drives us so powerfully to overeat. Whether it has to do with a hormonal trigger in the brain, or a specific spot in the brain, scientists hope to turn off the trigger so that two-thirds of American adults and one-third of America children and adolescents will no longer be considered overweight or obese.

To your health and beauty,

Dr. Joe Danyo

The Addictions of Tanning

2011-08-31T21:21:00.000-04:00

It’s not news that the sun’s rays can cause serious damage to our skin if we spend too much time outside. In fact, even a little sun can still cause damage, and even cause early wrinkles, fine lines and pigment spots. However, my East Coast plastic surgery practice can easily reverse minor skin damage with skin resurfacing techniques such as chemical peels, dermabrasion, and microdermabrasion. On the other hand, what it can’t reverse is malignant melanoma, otherwise known as skin cancer.

Skin cancer is a very common kind of cancer, with 120,000 new cases being diagnosed each year. Why is this cancer steadily growing? Part of the reason is due to the increasing popularity of tanning beds. Despite all the warnings on the dangers of these beds, people continue to slather on the tanning oil and fake bake until they are golden brown. Statistically, anyone under 30 who uses a tanning bed ten times a year, are eight times more likely to develop skin cancer. And since far more than ten sessions a year is usually the norm, you can imagine why skin cancer is becoming a major issue.

So why are people continuing to use tanning beds?

It is hard to believe people would continue this risky behavior after all the studies and warnings. But a new study may now be able to explain why tanning is still such a popular trend. According to recent studies, people who are utilizing tanning beds experience similar brain activity and blood flow that a person addicted to alcohol or drugs experiences. While tanning, a person’s brain experiences a neurological reward-and-reinforcement trigger. In short, the tanning bed causes an addicting feeling, with their reward being their newly browned skin. That rewarding feeling transfers to a need of maintaining the original reward. Therefore, a vicious cycle can easily start.

Before hopping into a tanning bed, even one time, think about the consequences. Not only is melanoma more of a risk, but that “one time” could turn into even more sessions. If you truly are in need of browned skin, consider utilizing the sun’s real rays along with a healthy dose of SPF 30 or more slathered on all of your skin. Also consider tanning creams or spray tans. They are plenty of other ways, much more conducive to your health, that will give you a gorgeous glow and not risk your life.

To your health and beauty,

Dr. Joe Danyo

A Link Between Normal Aging and Progeria

2011-08-22T19:08:00.000-04:00

Keeping fine lines, wrinkles, and skin spots to a minimum is very easy at my East Coast plastic surgery practice. Botox, Restylane, and other dermal fillers are usually the first choices of patients. For those who would rather steer clear of injections, some patients may choose a chemical peel or dermabrasion to resurface the skin. Of course, other patients would rather get the best results possible, usually leading them to opt for a facelift or a brow lift. This is the beauty of plastic surgery: so many options to suit your comfort level.

But why do we age?

It was previously thought that aging was caused by our cells wearing out. However, recent studies point to a different reason. These new studies have found a link between aging and the aging disease known as Progeria.

If you aren’t familiar with the disease, Progeria causes children to age seven times faster than normal human beings. Why? A toxic protein called progerin is produced in these children’s bodies in very high amounts. However, once thought as the reason why children suffer from this disease, new studies show that progerin is also produced in healthy human beings. The amounts are just much lower, causing us to age at a slower rate.

What does this mean?

This means that aging could be an active biological mechanism that is actually programmed into our bodies. If this is the case, this means that this program is tinkered with when it comes to children with Progeria, causing progerin to be produced in high amounts instead of the standard lower amounts. With these things in mind, we are only getting closer to gaining an understanding of the aging process.

To your health and beauty,

Dr. Joe Danyo

The Skinny on Subcutaneous and Visceral Fats

2011-08-18T19:03:00.000-04:00

If I were to ask you what exactly fat does, would you be able to answer correctly?

The correct answer is “E,” meaning fat is actually healthy for you to have on your body. However, this doesn’t mean that you should overindulge in ice cream, french fries, and mountains of chocolate. In fact, once your body has too much, some serious health risks can arise.

Many of my East Coast plastic surgery patients come in thinking liposuction will solve all their fat problems. But this is not the case. In fact, only one type of fat out of the two we store is affected by liposuction. It is only our subcutaneous fat, the fat right beneath our skin, that can be sucked out. As a bonus the sucked out fat from your thighs, hips and more can be transferred into other parts of your body such as a your cheeks or lips for a fuller and plumper appearance. Who ever said your flab is useless?

The eviler fat of the two is known as visceral fat. This is the belly fat that settles in your abdominal cavity. Settling around your organs, such as the liver, it can be deadly in high amounts. High amounts of visceral fat are also associated with diabetes, high cholesterol, cardiac disease, and hypertension.

The cause of visceral fat is due to a mixture of heredity and our own unhealthy habits. Those few extra beers can quickly cause visceral fat to run wild, forming a beer belly. It’s why high quantities of this fat have even been found in people at normal weights. Everyone is prone to visceral fat, not just the obese.

So how exactly can we rid our bodies of this particular fat?

If you suffer from obesity, Barriatric surgery is an option. There are also several medications on the market that can curb appetite or decrease fat absorption. But the real way to nix this problematic fat is through age old diet and exercise. Therefore, it is all up to you to get yourself healthy. Though at some point in the future there will most likely be a way to surgically remove visceral fat, until then it is entirely in your hands.

To your health and beauty,

Dr. Joe Danyo

Traffic And Your Skin

2011-08-09T12:56:00.000-04:00

We all know that aging is a natural part of life, and that we can indeed age gracefully. That’s where my job as an East Coast plastic surgeon comes in. Botox, facelifts, blepharoplasties, and even skin resurfacing are just are few procedures and treatments that will make your skin appear youthful. But have you ever wondered if it’s not just life that is causing your skin to wrinkle and discolor?

Recent studies suggest a correlation between living near a busy highway and increased skin wrinkling and pigmented spots. In fact, airborne particles that are traffic related has now taken the top third spot as a cause of early skin aging. It falls right beneath ultraviolet radiation and tobacco smoke. Meaning, if you live in an heavily populated and busy area where a lot of traffic occurs, such as the city, your skin is more likely to age faster than someone’s skin that isn’t exposed to such things. Of course, UV rays and smoke must be factored in as well. But perhaps this is the reason why plastic surgery is more popular in city areas.

This study only backs up previous data on the harmful effects of traffic related particles. Besides being terrible for your lungs, these airborne particles have been linked to cognitive failure in the elderly, and have also been linked to type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.

Though it’s not easy to avoid all traffic-related airborne particles, especially if you live in a big city where traffic never stops, it may be a good idea to take extra care of your skin. Of course when all else fails, my East Coast plastic surgery practice can help keep your skin beautiful, rejuvenated and young.

To your health and beauty,

Dr. Joe Danyo

Less Botox But Same Great Results

2011-08-02T20:23:00.000-04:00

Botox is one of the most popular procedures in plastic surgeon offices, including my East Coast plastic surgery one. This procedure is mainly popular due to it being minimally invasive, time efficient, usually taking only fifteen minutes, and simple. However, Botox injections are not a onetime thing, usually consisting of injections every three months.

This can be a slight turn off to some potential patients that may not want to shell out money four times a year. And it’s no surprise that Botox injections indefinitely with visit every three months can become costly, especially if a patient starts young as suggested by plastic surgeons.

But patients afraid of costs may soon find Botox more accessible due to a new study conducted at the Oregon Health and Science University’s Casey Eye Institute. The study found that patients receiving Botox treatments every four months for two years can then cut their Botox injections to every six months. Though best results are still more likely to be seen in treatment every three months, this new time line will get similar results in the least amount of time.

With these new results, Botox is more than likely to become even more popular. More people are prone to undergo Botox if visits of four a year can now be cut to three or two a year with great wrinkle reducing results. It’s never been easier.

Will you consider Botox now that visits don’t have to be as often? If you already get Botox, will you cut your visits down?

To your health and beauty,

Dr. Joseph Danyo

Change Your Implants In A Timely Manner

2011-07-20T17:19:00.000-04:00

Gel-filled implants are fast becoming a favorite among breast enhancement patients, including the patients in my East Coast plastic surgery office. Due to their consistency, a gel-filled implant gives a more life-like feeling to the breasts compared to other implants. But before you choose an implant simply for its life-like feeling, you may want to know what comes with getting this gel-filled kind.

First, gel implants are entirely safe and effective. They wouldn’t be FDA approved if they weren’t. However, it is important to know that gel implants are not the forever kind. The FDA recently released a report saying that gel implants could have the need to be replaced, or even removed, within a ten year period under certain circumstances.

As the years progress, women with gel-filled implants, especially those who have suffered from breast cancer and have undergone breast reconstruction, could develop some problems. Most specifically, gel implants can rupture, but scarring, asymmetry and infection have been known to occur as well. A rupture especially will lead to surgery.

So how do you combat this potential problem if you still want gel implants? MRIs are one the best ways of detecting a problem with your implant. Going once every two years is a must if you have gel-filled implants. If you haven’t detected any problems, but have had the implants in for a while, or close to ten years, your best option may be to simply replace them.

Like any type of surgery, there is always a risk, but by knowing the risks you’re already ahead.

Would you still consider gel-filled implants even though they eventually have to be replaced? To my readers that have them: Do you have an MRI every two years to detect problems?

To your health & beauty,

Dr. Joe Danyo

Could Freezing Be The New Botox?

2011-07-19T15:50:00.000-04:00

My East Coast Plastic Surgery office has an abundance of patients seeking minimal invasive procedures such as Botox injections. But patients looking to get rid of pesky wrinkles on their faces may have another injectable option sometime in the near future.

Both Botox and Dysport are very easy and very quick procedures with a high patient satisfaction rate. However, some people are not entirely comfortable with the idea of injecting a toxin into their body, and unless they are willing to undergo a more invasive surgery they are out of luck.

So what is this new injectable that could be a Botox and Dysport competitor one of these days?

A new technique, not yet approved by the FDA, called cryoneuromodulation uses small needles to deliver cold to the nerves running through the forehead. The cold freezes the nerve, which interrupts the nerve signal and relaxes the muscle that causes vertical and horizontal forehead lines. Though the nerve returns to normal body temperature, the cold temporarily “injures” the nerve, not permanently, and allows the signal to remain interrupted for a period of time that is comparable to Botox’s and Dysport’s three to four month period.

This new possible treatment is just as quick, taking about 15 minutes, and has relatively the same discomfort level as Botox and Dysport. After performing the technique on 31 people in a clinical trial, this procedure seemed to work faster than what is on the market already; all patients having fewer wrinkles after two to eight injections, instead of waiting the standard few days to see results.

The downside is this technique was only limited to the forehead and has yet to be studied elsewhere on the face. Botox is more than just the forehead so it currently beats out this freezing process. However, if these results are a hint at what this new procedure can do, this could potentially be injectables’ newest breakthrough.

If this procedure does eventually pass FDA approval, I feel this will only increase the popularity of injectables. They will be more readily available to those people that were once afraid to put anything foreign into their bodies. More people will most likely jump at the chance to make their wrinkles fade away.

If this becomes an FDA approved procedure, would you consider freezing your nerves for a smoother face?

To your health and beauty,

Dr. Joe Danyo

Teenaged Cosmetic Surgery is NOT on the rise!

2011-07-10T19:31:00.000-04:00

The media enjoys telling us that teen plastic surgery is on the rise and, as a surgeon, I admit seeing my fair share of teenagers at my East Coast Plastic Surgery office here in Delaware. However, contrary to this popular belief, surveys conducted by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery report otherwise.

The surveys actually show that the number of cosmetic procedures on patients 18 and younger has declined from nearly 300,000 a decade ago to125,000 last year.

Even with the massive decline, parents may be wondering what procedures teenagers are actually having. The ASAPS also reported that the most common procedures are:

· Laser hair removal (51,000 procedures last year)
· Skin treatments (including 16,200 chemical peels and 10,400 microdermabrasion treatments)
· Ear surgery (10,700 procedures)
· Nose jobs (9,100 procedures)

These top procedures, at least in my opinion, seem to coincide with more than just cosmetic reasons. Plenty of teens suffer from excess amounts of hair, acne, and deviated septums, which seems to show in which cosmetic procedures they are undergoing. It seems that perhaps teens aren’t as worried about their looks as we think they are.

To your health & beauty,

Dr. Joe Danyo

A Mommy Makeover Isn't Just For Moms!

2011-05-16T19:06:00.000-04:00

Many of the women who come to see me for breast and tummy surgery do so because they've given birth (maybe 3 years ago, maybe 30 years ago) but did you know that a Mommy Makeover isn't just for Moms? Any healthy woman who is dissatisfied with the appearance of her breasts and abdomen is a good candidate for this "combo" procedure.

What's a Mommy Makeover?
A Mommy Makeover is usually two procedures: breast enhancement and body sculpting. Depending on her needs a woman might wish her breasts to be larger, so she would opt for a breast augmentation. If her breasts have begun to sag due to aging or breastfeeding, a breast lift might be all that's needed, or performed with an implant procedure, to return her breasts to a perky, natural level on the chest wall.

For some women, overly large breasts were a result of pregnancy and breastfeeding or, perhaps she has had very large breasts her entire life and has finally decided she wants to change things. Since a breast lift is part and parcel of a breast reduction, it reduces the breast size while lifting the breasts up. Our breast reduction patients are ecstatic with their smaller, lifted breast appearance.

Women who have had children or who have gone through cycles of weight loss and weight gain often have stretch marks. Although these ugly lines can be treated with laser skin resurfacing, a Mommy Makeover eliminates all or almost all stretch marks, as excess skin is removed during the tummy tuck procedure, and bye-bye stretch marks! The belly muscles that may have separated over time or with pregnancy are sewn back in place, providing much better abdominal support as well as a more attractive tummy. Sometimes I'll add a little liposuction for women who need it--the fat can be used to fill places where you might need it, such as in facial wrinkles, the backs or hands or the lips.

So, whether your youngest child is a toddler or a grown-up, it's never too late to reclaim your younger shape! Call us for a complimentary consultation so we can discover, together, what can be done for you! We can even do it online, if you have little time to come into the office!

To your health and beauty,
Joe Danyo, MD
Board Certified Delaware Plastic Surgeon

Breastfeeding after Implants?

2011-04-22T14:04:00.000-04:00

When women visit me for a private consultation in my Delaware plastic surgery office, they often ask whether or not they will be able to breastfeed after breast implants, ie, whether breast implants will inhibit breastfeeding in any way.

Before I get into the details, here are some basic facts:

· Not every woman can breastfeed successfully, whether or not she has breast implants;

· An implant itself doesn’t interfere with breastfeeding;

· What can affect breastfeeding is the location of the incisions used to insert the implants.

For example, an incision for placement of a breast implant can be made in one of three places: (A) under the fold of the breast (called the inframammary fold); (B) under the armpit (called a transaxillary incision) or (C) around the areola.

Incisions under the armpit or under the breast should pose no challenge to breastfeeding. An incision around the areola shouldn’t pose a challenge either, so long as neither the milk ducts nor the nerves are damaged or severed.

The nerves nearest the areola control two hormones that trigger the brain to produce milk; those hormones are oxytocin and prolactin. If those nerves are damaged, the brain may not receive the “signal” to make milk, or perhaps will make some milk, but not enough, in which case the woman must use a breast pump between feedings to provide enough breast milk for her baby.

I always advise women who have not yet had children to opt for the inframammary fold or the transaxillary incision, so as not to worry at all about any impact upon breastfeeding. I haven’t accidentally dissected any milk ducts or nerves, but it does make these women feel more at ease knowing it’s fairly impossible to have breastfeeding problems with either an inframammary or transaxillary incision.

There are a couple other caveats to getting breast implants prior to having children. One is that, after pregnancy or breastfeeding, the breasts may sag. An implant won’t prevent this sagging. The woman may need a breast lift following pregnancy and breastfeeding if the sagging concerns her. Further, if an implant patient should develop a nipple infection or mastitis while nursing, these infections can spread to the pocket under the breast wall that “houses” the implant and infect that pocket. This can lead to implant problems and perhaps even a need to remove the implants.

If you haven’t had children yet and are considering implants, be sure that you discuss these issues with me at your consultation to make sure both of us are in complete agreement about the location of your incisions.

Oh, and BTW, there’s a rumor that silicone leaking from breast implants could “spoil” the milk. There is no evidence that silicone could leak into breast milk in the first place, but even if it did, it probably wouldn’t harm the baby, as silicone is quite similar to a substance used to treat babies’ stomach gas.

So, the bottom line is that breast implants should not affect the ability to breastfeed or produce milk so long as the incision doesn’t nick or damage the nerves or milk ducts. Another reason to choose a plastic surgeon with a great deal of experience!

To your health & beauty,

Dr. Joe Danyo

Finding the best bra after breast enhancements

2011-04-07T21:57:00.000-04:00

Whether you like racy, lacy or plain, buying new bras after your breast enhancement procedure is supposed to be fun! Sadly, according to my wife and the women in my office, bra shopping is often not fun at all! Whether you have had a breast lift, breast reduction or breast implants here in our Delaware plastic surgeon’s office, wearing well-fitting bras afterwards is very important. Even if you haven’t had a breast enhancement, finding bras that fit correctly can be a challenge.

Wearing a poorly fitted bra can make you look older, because your breasts will sag. It’s true that breast sagging can indicate the need for a breast lift, but when wearing a properly fitted undergarment, your breasts should not sag.

Here are some indications that your bra doesn't fit well:

§ It hikes up in the back.

§ You’re often tightening the straps but it still doesn’t fit.

§ When you bend over, your breasts fall out of the bra and when you’re standing, your breasts don’t fit well in the cups.

§ Your bra bags in the nipple area or it squeezes your breasts too tightly.

§ You see red marks, irritation and/or rashes on your skin after wearing the bra.

Bra Sizing Tip #1:

Bra sizes can vary a great deal from one brand to the next. There is no standard 34B, 36C or any other size for that matter. A 36C in a Lady Madonna bra may not be the same size as a 36C in a Bali bra.

Measuring “band size” is the first step in finding your correct bra size:

The band size of a bra is the number part of the size. In a 38C, the number 38 stands for a band size of 38”. In European bras, band size is measured in centimeters and in the US it’s measured in inches. To identify your band size, take a measuring tape and measure around your ribcage, making sure the tape doesn’t ride up or down in the back—it should be even all the way around. Measure right under the breasts, around the ribcage. Write down that number.

Now that you have your rib measurement, do the following:

· Add 4” if your rib measurement was an even number, like 36 or 38

· Add 5” if your rib measurement was an odd number, like 33 or 35, etc.

· Example: If your measurement was 36”, add 4” and your band size is a 40. If you measured 27”, add 5” and your bra size is a 32.

Note: Your band size doesn’t change after breast augmentation, lift or reduction because your rib measurements remain the same.

How to determine your correct cup size

Using the same measuring tape as before, measure over the fullest part of your chest and around your back, making sure the tape is level all the way around. Next, subtract your band size from your bust-size measurement. Ex: if your final band size is 34” but the measurement around the bust is 37”, you are likely to be a 34C according to the chart below.

Use this chart to determine cup size by subtracting the band size from the bust size. The difference in inches will reveal your cup size.

If you used this method but you still experience sagging, you probably need a larger cup size than shown on the chart. If the cups are loose, however, try going to a cup size one letter smaller, and see how if that works. Sometimes you need a little trial and error. Although your bra should fit snugly, it shouldn't be too tight when you fasten the bra with the hooks closest to the bra itself, ie, away from the end of the tab. That way, when it stretches with wear you can still fasten it and enjoy that garment longer. Remember, once you find a great-fitting bra, you might do well to buy only that brand, choosing other styles from their line to suit your mood and garments. As previously said, a 34B in a Goddess brand is a 34B across all of the Goddess styles, but a 34B in a Bali bra may be another size altogether.

Bra Strap Basics

Bra straps should not ever be uncomfortable. If they dig into your shoulders or leave your skin red, they’re too tight. Bra straps aren’t intended to be the main support for your breasts. The bra itself, including the cups, should be the main support, not the straps.

More Tips Bra Care

After all the time you spent finding the right size bra, be sure to hand wash and line dry your bras. If you must machine wash your bras, fasten them before washing and put inside a mesh bag. Don’t put bras into the dryer—it will loosen the elastic and the bra will wear out faster.

We hope you have found this blog post helpful!

To your health and wellness,

Dr. Joe Danyo

FDA Intends to Speed Up Approval of Medical Devices

2011-03-29T12:07:00.000-04:00

The FDA conducts studies and grants approvals for innovative medical devices in much the same fashion as it does for new drugs. Although the approval process for a new drug can take up to 12 years in research and development and cost well over a billion dollars before the FDA gives its approval, the approval process for devices used for cosmetic enhancements like liposuction technology, lasers and the like, tends to be even longer, requiring at least 10 months just for the first round of investigation by the FDA, that of confirming that the device is a “first-of-a-kind,” and not just a slightly-altered version of another device.

An article in Bloomberg Businessweek reported on a new system at the FDA, called the Innovation Pathway, that intends to shorten the time for first-of-a-kind devices from 10 months to 5 months. The first product assigned to this new system is a brain-controlled, prosthetic arm created by the military.

Alhough th US is considered a powerhouse in the development of new drugs and other technologies, our country is the 7^th slowest nation when it comes to approving medical devices, lagging way behind Israel, India and European countries like France and Germany. Unlike the US, most European countries’ regulatory processes are much more supportive of innovation, while still ensuring consumers that what they approve meets the tests of safety and effectiveness. The Innovation Pathway program is the first attempt in 35 years to shorten the approval time for devices.

Technology will continue to move as quickly as the FDA will allow it, bringing us newer and better devices for liposuction, breast reconstruction and breast enhancements, and all kinds of laser skin treatments. I’m delighted that the FDA has taken this step and look forward to faster approvals for medical devices of all kinds, both for reconstruction and for cosmeteic purposes. It’s a needed step in the right direction.

To your health & beauty,
Dr. Joe Danyo

Supplements for Thinning Hair

2011-03-20T05:58:00.000-04:00

Hair loss sufferers are in the millions here in the US. About 35% of men and 21% of women suffer with hair loss including thinning and balding. The topic was discussed recently on The Doctors in which they aired a show featuring Jon Lovitz, the comic. The Doctors physicians offered these lifestyle changes to boost hair retention and quality:

Eat More Protein because like your bones your hair is primarily composed of protein. The suggestion is to eat more beef, chicken and eggs to help boost protein levels. For vegetarians and vegans, vegetables such as broccoli and spinach, as well as beans, nuts, seeds, and grains like quinoa, are good sources of protein.

Get enough Iron and Zinc, because these two minerals are needed for hair follicles to produce new hair. Red meat and green leafy vegetables are high in iron and zinc, as are avocadoes and most berries. To increase your absorption of iron, it’s suggested to eat foods rich in vitamin C when eating iron-rich foods, and to avoid taking iron supplements and vitamin E at the same time. Fact: The tannins in regular teas (ie, non-herbal) can dampen iron absorption.

A mineral known as Silica assists the body to digest nutrients needed for great hair. Silica is founding abundance in cabbage, bell peppers, rice, bean sprouts, and onions, and often thought to be the reason that Asian women have such thick, beauatiful hair, as those foods are big ingredients in Asian cuisine. Asparagus, oatmeal, cucumbers, lettuce, potatoes, sunflower seeds and strawberries also contain ample amounts of silica.

One more rep: Because exercise stimulates circulation and blood flow, it may stimulate more hair growth.

Dr. Ordon from The Doctors also recommends Propecia and Rogaine to fight against hair loss. For those with balding, there are technologies for hair replacement available today that are superior to the old-fashioned, visible hair plugs, and certainly are a better solution than toupees, wigs or hair extensions.

To your health & beauty,

Dr. Joe Danyo

Surprise! Tax Dollars Paid For Cosmetic Surgery, Spa Visits

2011-03-17T13:15:00.004-04:00

The European Parliament

A copy of the most recent Practical Guide to the Reimbursement of Medical Expenses was recently leaked to European media and then to the public, revealing that almost £3 million of taxpayer monies will be spent in 2011 by members of the European Parliament (MEPs) for luxury items such as spa visits and cosmetic surgery!

The European Parliament has 736 members. The members, as well as their families, have already been reimbursed for cosmetic surgery, anti-aging products & treatments, massages and private spa visits, sometimes at 100% of expenses for these non-essentials. Further, sons and husbands of MEPs have also received free Viagra, although it was claimed Viagra was given only to men whose impotence was a result of injury. Right now, along with the rest of the globe, Europe is in a state of fiscal austerity, making these costs that much more unacceptable to the public.

Up until about 2004, American military servicemen and women received free cosmetic surgery. The reason for doing so was that military plastic surgeons were thought able to better develop their skills in reconstruction when they were allowed to also perform cosmetic procedures, ie, surgery on healthy, uninjured people. This policy was scrapped after CNN released a story about the practice. The result is that service personnel now can get cosmetic surgery at their military hospitals at a discount. Unfortunately, that means that plastic surgeons training under military hospital supervision perform fewer cosmetic cases than in the past, giving them less experience than those who went before them under the old arrangement.

To my blog readers: Do you think military personnel received free cosmetic surgery in order to train military plastic surgeons or do you think that was just a ruse so that members of the military received more percs? Share your views!

To your health & beauty,

Dr. Joe Danyo

Superficial Liposuction Anyone?

2011-03-11T12:58:00.000-05:00

Have you heard the latest about a “new” liposuction technique? It’s called “superficial liposuction.” Proponents of superficial lipo claim that it produces smoother results and better skin tightening, but is that really true?

What is Superficial Liposuction?

Superficial liposuction removes fat from the intermediate and superficial layers, compared with conventional suction-assisted liposuction that removes fat from the deepest layers. One of the well-advertised benefits of superficial liposuction is that it provides better skin tightening and fewer surface irregularities.

Poor Lipo on Tara Reid

A Recent Report Suggests Otherwise

Several surgeons who together performed various forms of liposuction on 2398 patients over a period of 14 years recently released a report showing that the superficial lipo patients had more complications compared with traditional suction liposuction patients. One of the most frequent complications was an increased tendency for bumps and depressions in the skin’s surface, such as shown in the photo left. This confirms my opinion that superficial liposuction is not a better technique, which is why I don’t perform it. I perform tumescent lipo, power-assisted lipo and SmartLipo here in my Delaware plastic surgery practice because they consistently give the best results.

Traditional liposuction has many years of proven results by thousands of surgeons. However, no matter what liposuction procedure you undertake, it’s wise to remember that the hand that holds the cannula is your best prediction of beautiful results. I have performed thousands of liposuction procedures. Trust experience and results when you seek liposuction. Check out my photos for more proof of skill.

To your health and beauty,

Dr. Joe Danyo

Infections linked to Ear Piercing

2011-03-05T14:25:00.000-05:00

Just when you thought it was a safe beauty option, ear-piercing has come under siege as a result of a recent study showing that ear-piercing is linked to bacterial infection. We don’t mean old-time high school piercing by your best friend with a sterilized needle and some thread, which is an obvious no-no. We’re talking about piercing performed in malls using hand-powered piercing guns.

The study, carried out at the Department of Emergency Medicine at UCLA-Harbor, involved surveying 14 businesses that pierce ears on a regular basis. Evaluated were the type of instrument and earrings used (ie, platinum vs gold vs silver posts), the level of employee training, the location of the piercing and prep and aftercare of the ears. Both tattoo parlors that performed piercings and mall-type stores and kiosks were part of the 14 businesses studied.

The tattoo parlors, in general, used sterile needles and forceps to pierce ears, while the retail stores and kiosks used piercing guns. All 14 businesses offered earrings made of 14 or 24K gold, stainless steel or other metals, and none offered earrings made with nickel (to which many people are allergic). Although the training involved videos and demos of piercing at the stores and kiosks, the tattoo parlors insisted on an apprenticeship type program of varying lengths. Both business types performed by lobe and cartilage piercings.

Here was the big difference: all the cosmetic stores and kiosks used benzalkonium chloride or isopropyl alcohol as ear preparation agents, while the tattoo parlors used iodine-based solutions. At all of the businesses, minimal aftercare instructions were given and those instructions typically focused on maintaining ear-hole patency as opposed to avoiding infection.

The study went on to show that the cosmetic shops and earring kiosks patients were more likely to have infections, particularly in the cartilage piercings. The belief is that the increased infections were a result of poor training and the use of benzalkonium chloride as a preparation agent. Some of these infections can be very severe, requiring surgery and IV antibiotics to treat a nasty bacterium called Pseudomonas.

It’s to your benefit to think about taking a bit more precautions when having someone pierce your body. Ask what kind of preparations they use on the ears or other body part prior to piercing, and make sure your tech is thoroughly trained.

Is International Surgery Worth the Risk?

2011-02-15T06:07:00.000-05:00

Because we’re living in a cost-conscious time, we want the best value for our dollar, whether it’s a purchase of Tide or cosmetic surgery. However, there’s a huge difference between the two. A box of Tide is the same box no matter where you purchase it, but a breast augmentation, tummy tuck or facelift is an individually-performed surgery that can have adverse consequences if performed by someone without adequate training and experience.

In the past month, the Attorney General’s office in New York state charged a Manhattan-based Dominican Republic physician with unauthorized practice of a profession. Apparently this surgeon has been advertising cheap plastic surgery, then examining the patients in Manhattan before they flew to the Dominican Republic for the actual procedure. Evidently, there were complaints that his patients developed severe infections and disfigurement.

It’s very important that you examine the background of any surgeon you interview about cosmetic surgery. While it can be cheaper to have a procedure in another country, the cost of airfare, hotel, meals and the need to bring a companion can offset any potential savings. Further is the potential for negative consequences such as infection, disfigurement and even death. In the US, surgeons are held to a very high standard in their operating facilities. Unfortunately, with so many onsite operating rooms, this still leaves room for cut-rate physicians bent on doing thousands of surgeries at cheap prices to cover their overhead. Many of these practitioners don’t even carry malpractice insurance. I am a Delaware board certified plastic surgeon--that means I've been certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery as skilled and experienced through exams and photo evidence of my work.

You can’t put a price tag on training and experience. You wouldn’t let an unqualified plumber in the door, so be sure to check out your surgeon!

To your health & beauty,

Dr. Joe Danyo

STUDY SAYS: ACID PEELS GREAT FOR ACNE

2011-01-14T09:53:00.000-05:00

Acne is one of the most common and well-known skin disorders around the world. If you have already been through your teen years, then you probably had acne, as it affects 85% of adolescents. What’s even more annoying is the fact that, in many cases, acne may not disappear once we reach adulthood. The spots and zits, that can be red and inflamed or not, stay there on your skin, erupting daily and making your life very unpleasant.

If acne products at the pharmacy aren’t helpful, then you have the choice of acne-erasing chemical peels here in our plastic surgery practice in Delaware. Glycolic and salicylic acid peels have both been found very effective against mild to severe acne, according to a study performed at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

The acids in chemical peels remove the outer layer(s) of the skin and thus control acne risk. The study mentioned above and published in the latest issue of the Dermatologic Surgery journal found that both AHA (alpha-hydroxy or glycolic) and BHA (beta-hydroxy or salicylic) acids are potent enough but also safe to use for acne control. Dee Anna Glaser, M.D., vice chair and professor of dermatology at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine stated: "This is good news for the millions of Americans who suffer from mild to moderately severe facial acne. This provides more options for patients and doctors to choose from when it comes to tailoring a treatment program for each individual."

Glycolic and salicylic acids are less aggressive compared with TCA (trichloroacetic acid) and phenol, which stronger can be more destructive to the skin. They both come from organic compounds: glycolic acid is extracted from unripe grapes, sugar beets, sugarcane, cantaloupe, pineapple and salicylic acid is obtained from salicin, used in aspirin.

The good news is that a chemical peel made with one of these acids is not only going to treat your acne, but it will also leave your skin smoother, brighter and free of fine lines and wrinkles.

To your health & beauty,

Dr. Joe Danyo

New Supplement Increases Botox Results by 93%

2011-01-13T17:30:00.000-05:00

Imagine taking a vitamin supplement four days before your next Botox injection and the Botox results would be 93% more effective! It’s true and this new supplement will be on the market within the next month or so. If the supplement, which will be available by prescription, isn’t overpriced, it could be a real money-saver for those of you who benefit from Botox for wrinkles and/or migraines.

Dr. Charles Soparkar, who is an oculoplastic surgeon at The Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas and his fellow researchers performed a study that showed that a combination of organic zinc plus the enzyme phytase, taken for four days before receiving their Botox injections, made the toxin 93% more effective. Because of the amazing results, a patent was filed for the combination, which is now called ZYTAZE™. It’s reported to be available soon. The study was not originally performed for those who receive Botox for cosmetic purposes, however. It was performed for patients with a rare form of eyelid spasm. However, this research is positive news for anyone who gets injections of Botox for cosmetic reasons.

"Surprisingly, the results showed that in over 90% of the patients studied, the zinc/phytase combination resulted in a remarkable improved responsiveness to treatment of blepharospasm using the same amount of botulinum toxin as previously used," said Soparkar. "The toxins seemed to have greater effect and last longer. Potentially, this could mean using less toxin, offering patients financial savings, greater safety, and more consistent results."

If the prescription is reasonably priced, it could result in an overall savings for those individuals who use Botox for wrinkle reduction, as less Botox will be needed and the results will last longer. I’ll keep you updated as soon as I hear further news on this topic.

To your health & beauty,

Dr. Joe Danyo

One more reason to quit smoking: Adult Acne!

2010-12-31T12:50:00.002-05:00

If you or someone you love is still smoking, here’s another good reason to quit this New Year: smoking increases the risk of developing adult acne!

A study was performed at the Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri in Rome by Dr. Bruno Capitanio and his colleagues. It focused on 226 adult women with adult acne. The study’s goal was to learn whether there was a connection between smoking and the development of adult acne.

There is.

Two types of acne are most common in adults. The first one, called CPAA, is short for comedonal postadolescent acne that is much like regular teenage acne. A few breakouts here and there. The other acne more common in adults is the pustular kind, called papulopustular postadolescent acne.

The researchers were surprised to find that the most common acne in adult smokers was CPAA, not pustular acne. In fact, 66.3% of the 266 women in the study were smokers. Of those 159 smokers, less than 30% of them had papulopustular postadolescent acne. However, of the smokers, almost 73% had CPAA. Results of the study were published in the November issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

For those of you still smoking, this should give you another reason to quit! If you cannot quit, or if you have acne in the absence of smoking, we have a multitude of treatments available for you, such as the Portrait Skin Regeneration treatment for acne scarring. We also have prescription medications for acne here in our Delaware cosmetic surgery office.

There’s no reason to suffer with adult acne, as it can be treated. Call today and come in for a skin evaluation.

To your health & beauty,

Dr. Joe Danyo

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO SILICONE?

2010-12-29T14:44:00.000-05:00

The news has revealed many of the disastrous results of silicone injections. Remember Priscilla Presley’s beautiful face? It was literally ruined by lowgrade silicone injections that her doctor told her were “better than Botox”. You can see the unfortunate results at left. Once injected, silicone is “forever” and can onlybe surgically removed, leading to the potential for some very nasty scarring.

Although it’s true that there is no FDA approval for using silicone for cosmetic purposes, I’m betting if you did a poll of your friends, most of them would think that it’s currently being injected into lips, buttocks, breasts and faces all over America. That’s because most people aren’t aware of the dangers.

Back in the 1950’s and 60’s, silicone was used for breast enlargement. Unfortunately, this led to lumps, bumps, injections and deformities and was banned. You probably recall that the original silicone breast implants were also recalled for similar concerns as well as concerns that leaked silicone led to auto-immune problems.

Please be sure that you and your friends are aware of the dangers of silicone injections, and the fact that they are not approved by the FDA. No reputable plastic surgeon would ever use them. Here at our Delaware plastic surgery office, we have multiple filler options that are safe and effective. Come in to see us and learn which might be right for your particular needs.

By the way, did you know that Botox has a treatment visualizer? It’s fun and effective, and a great way to see, in the privacy of your home, how you might look.

To your health & beauty,

Dr. Joe Danyo

How Herbs Can Affect Cosmetic Procedure Outcomes

2010-12-14T10:47:00.000-05:00

Although herbs such as Gingko Biloba, Garlic, Ginseng and St. John’s Wort have proven benefits for your health, did you know that many herbal supplements can actually interfere with your recovery from cosmetic procedures? Depending on the supplement in question, herbs can cause problems ranging from unwanted anesthesia reactions to increased bleeding.

For this reason, I always ask my patients to give me a complete list of all the medications they are taking and any herbal supplements as well. By informing me as to what you’re taking, we can avoid any unexpected interactions during and after your procedure.

Supplements that can increase bleeding:

Gingko Biloba
Garlic
Ginseng
Fish Oils (omega-3 fatty acids)
Dong Quai
Feverfew

Supplements that can have anesthetic effects:

Valerian
St John's Wort
Kava

Supplements known to cause other types adverse events:

St John's Wort (can cause photosensitivity, especially after laser or chemical peels)
Ginseng (can cause hypoglycemia)

Divorce, Antidepressants, Or Weight Gain/Loss Can Add Years To Your Face

2010-11-19T17:51:00.000-05:00

Remember that old saying, that if you want to see what a woman will look like as she ages, look at her mother? A recent identical twins study suggests that may no longer be the case. Although genetic makeup certainly plays its part, environmental factors can add years to your perceived age.

In the study, performed at University Hospitals Case Medical Center by Dr. Bahaman Guyuron and colleagues, 186 pairs of twins were given very detailed questionnaires to complete. When the questionnaires were gathered, the twins’ photos were also taken. Without sending the questionnaires along, the photos were given to an independent panel to see if the panel members would decide that each pair of siblings were twins, or if they believed that one sibling was older or younger than the other and, if so, approximately how many years’ difference was between them.

Divorce Apparently Ages Us:

Among the twin sets in which one was divorced, the divorced twin appeared older to the panel members (remember, the panel members had no inkling that these were twins, just that they were siblings). According to Dr. Guyuron, "the presence of stress could be one of the common denominators in those twins who appeared older." Panel members also judged those taking antidepressant medications as “significantly older.” This may be due to the relaxation of facial muscles in those taking antidepressants.

Weight was a definite factor—in both directions!

Among twins aged 40 and younger, the panel members believed that the thinner twin was younger. However, for those sets of twins above the age of 40, the chubbier sibling was perceived to be younger, and often by several years.

"This research is important for two reasons," Dr. Guyuron said. "First, we have discovered a number of new factors that contribute to aging and second, our findings put science behind the idea that volume replacement rejuvenates the face."

I heartily agree. Volume replacement with fillers or fat transfer is definitely the way to look younger. Youthful faces have volume; it’s not just the absence of wrinkles. One would think that identical twins over the age of 40 would have the identical wrinkle pattern, right? Therefore, the primary difference that led panel members to view the heavier twin as younger would be based solely on a heavier facial appearance, ie, a fuller face.

Are you surprised by these findings?

To your health and beauty,

Dr. Joe Danyo

Does My Butt Look Big in This?

2010-11-18T16:46:00.000-05:00

A recent survey reports that 85% of women worry about the shape and size of their rear, leading to the old question before going out for the night: “does my butt look big in this?”

The UK cosmetic surgery practice, The Hospital Group, surveyed women to understand why the Brits are experiencing a huge increase in procedures such as buttock lifts and body sculpting to create a better bum. Even lipo is up 64% since last year. Certainly, the growing popularity of bottoms like Beyonce’s and Kim Kardashian’s are part of the reason. The study also discovered that clothes shopping caused 55% of women to feel self-conscious and 62% were concerned about how to dress for the holidays to either show off or minimize their derrieres.

The study also revealed that there are 4 distinct bottom shapes!

The tomato shape is “bigger, plumper, rounder and squishier,” and is possessed by about 45% of women.
The potato shape is wide, long and frumpy and, unfortunately, 35% of British women have it.
The pear bum is narrower at the top and twice the size at the fullest part of the bottom.
The perfect derriere is called the nectarine, which looks like two bowling balls pushed together. One wonders why they don’t call that one a strike…

Buttock lifts and buttock implants are increasingly popular in the US as well, with approximately 5,000 buttock augmentations performed each year. Buttock augmentation and lifts increased by 37.3% and 24.6%, respectively, from 2008 to 2009.

While some buttock augmentations are performed with implants, I find fat grafting to be a much better alternative. Not only does fat grafting eliminate the problems with implants (of which there are many), it uses liposuction to obtain the fat for grafting into the buttocks. Nice to think you can take fat away from a place on your body where you don’t want it and put it into having a rounder rump, don’t you think?

To your health & beauty,

Joe Danyo, MD

How Lasers Work to Improve Skin

2010-11-11T08:20:00.000-05:00

Laser technology for cosmetic usage has been around for the past 40 years, but has come into its own in the past five years, offering men and women a variety of treatments including hair removal, body sculpting and skin resurfacing. Occasionally, a patient will ask me how the laser actually works. Truth is, until recently, nobody has known the exact underlying processes that occur with lasers! Is it the laser light that motivates the collagen to rebuild or is it the heat that the laser delivers?

A researcher by the name of Susanne Dams, with Philips Research Eindhoven, conducted her own studies on lasers to find the answers.

Dams treated cell cultures and human skin with heat shocks of 45 and 60 degrees Centigrade, without using a laser light. (This is equivalent to 113 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit, so 113-140 is hot but not boiling hot.) Her results show that the heat shocks increased the production of collagen. When laser light was added, the only measureable difference was the ability of the laser to pinpoint the exact location of heat delivery. This is an important part of the treatment, inasmuch as heating smaller areas of skin is safer than heating larger areas of skin. In fact, her study also showed that heating the skin to 113 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 seconds was the optimal amount of heat to increase collagen. Above that temperature there is no added benefit and, in fact, causes skin cell damage.

Collagen is a skin protein that gives skin elasticity and firmness, the “bounce back” that young skin enjoys. Beginning in the mid-20’s, our collagen production begins to decrease, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin.

Three ways to increase your collagen levels

Studies show that there are 3 primary collagen-builders for those of us in the over-30 crowd:

· Laser Skin Treatments.

o Although the CO2 laser is considered the Gold Standard for skin resurfacing, the after-effects force patients to hide from the world for 2-3 weeks as their faces crust over and peel. Not a pretty site and most people don’t have 2-3 weeks to spend for recovery. Fraxel treatments and even chemical peels can obtain similar results, with little to no downtime. Instead of one big treatment, chemical peels and fractionated laser treatments are divided into 4-6 treatments, giving essentially the same results without the recovery time.

· Retinoids.

o Retin-A is the only topical skin treatment that is proven to increase collagen. No matter what they tell you on TV, this is a fact. For those in need of this, I can prescribe Retin-A.

· Hyaluronic Acid Fillers:

o Fillers made with hyaluronic acid, such as Juvederm, Restylane and Perlane, have been shown to increase collagen. This explains why, over time, you may need less filler each time you come in for a filler treatment. It’s not because you retain the filler from the last treatment, but because your own collagen is rebuilding.

Some things that damage collagen, by the way, are sun exposure and tobacco usage. Avoid the sun and tobacco and you'll go a very long way toward keeping your looks as you age.

To your health & beauty,

Joe Danyo, MD

Avoiding Post-Lipo Weight Gain During the Holidays

2010-11-08T12:14:00.002-05:00

Liposuction is the 4^th most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the US. Almost 200,000 procedures were performed last year. Do you wonder how many people kept the weight off?

According to a study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official publication of the ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgeons), those patients who did not adhere to a good diet following liposuction were 3 times more likely to gain weight. Those who didn’t exercise were 4 times more likely to gain weight.

The study surveyed over 200 patients. The good news is that 25% lost weight and 32% maintained their weight. That means that more than half of liposuction patients either lose or maintain their weight following a liposuction procedure. Unfortunately, 43% of liposuction patients in the survey gained weight after liposuction, with the greatest weight gain occurring approximately six months after their procedure.

Liposuction is not a quick fix for weight loss. It’s a commitment to resolving stubborn areas of fat that plague you and don’t disappear even with diligent workouts and avoidance of junk food. All of us are genetically programmed to store fat in specific areas. Perhaps it’s your thighs or around your waist. Some people are prone to fat in the buttocks. Liposuction is a method to eliminate fat cells in these problem areas. Unfortunately, if you don’t make a commitment to maintaining your results, you’ll gain weight.

With the holidays coming up, I thought you might like some tips for maintaining your weight (whether or not you’ve had lipo) when the treats are up front and center over the next eight weeks:

· Drink the recommended 8 glasses of water daily.

§ Keeping yourself well hydrated not only keeps you feeling full, it also helps with mood and concentration.

§ Drink two full glasses of water, iced tea or low-cal beverage before a festive meal. You’ll still enjoy yourself, but will feel full sooner.

· Watch the alcohol.

§ Beer, wine and mixed drinks contain empty calories. Drinking also lowers your inhibitions, leaving you vulnerable to overeating.

· Enjoy in moderation.

§ Having said the above, sticking to one glass of wine, one bottle of beer or one cocktail allows you the enjoyment without risking too many empty calories

§ The same goes with treats. One or two cookies, one slice of pie, one day of falling off the commitment to eat well doesn’t have to lead to a week of overeating.

o Eat Before You Leave

§ Enjoy a ½ turkey sandwich on whole grain bread or pita with sprouts, lettuce and tomatoes before leaving for the restaurant, party or family dinner. It will keep you from feeling starved by the time the meal is served.

o Be on the Lookout

§ Focus on seafood, chicken, veggies and cheeses at parties and avoid the deep-fried canapés and other rich foods or limit yourself to one of the high fat offerings. You’ll feel better about yourself and the weight will stay off!

Holidays mean food, fun, and family, but they don’t have to mean weight gain. Having a positive mental attitude and a commitment to maintaining your new shape will get you to January feeling and looking wonderful!

What tips would you like to share to manage your weight during the holidays?

To your health and beauty,

Dr. Joe Danyo

Is gold the new buzzword in skin creams?

2010-10-26T08:00:00.003-04:00

According to legend, 5,000 years ago, Cleopatra slept in a gold face mask every night because she believed it made her skin luminous and soft. Whether that was true or not, Cleopatra is said to have had beautiful skin. But then again, in that day and age, women lived to a ripe old age of 30-something, so who is to know. Cleopatra herself lived only to 39.

Many new skin products coming on the market contain gold particles, reported to tighten loose skin, reduce discoloration and ward off the sun’s damaging UV rays. Unfortunately, there are no studies that have documented these claims, and the creams are enormously expensive, as you might guess.

The truth is, few skin care ingredients have been proven to create real results in skin tone, texture and luminosity. Among them are Retin-A. Laser skin rejuvenation, microdermabrasion and chemical peels have also been proven to rejuvenate collagen beneath the skin and create a much smoother, more youthful appearance.

Top Op in the UK? Lipo for Men!

2010-10-20T14:36:00.001-04:00

Following on the footsteps of their beloved soccer star, Ronaldo, who had abdominal lipo last year, British men have been flooding plastic surgeries with a desire to trade their love handles for 6-packs—to the tune of a 117% increase just since last August! Previously, the Brits were hot for man boob treatments, to avoid looking like Simon Cowell, famous for his noticeable nipples in t-shirts.

In America, there was an increase of 9% in men’s cosmetic surgery procedures from 2008 to 2009, with a total of almost a million surgical procedures for men. Lipo was the top pick, followed by nose jobs, eyelid surgery, breast reduction and halr transplantation to round out the top five US men’s procedures.

Here in my Delaware plastic surgery practice, liposuction enables me to predictably contour all kinds of fatty areas, including the jawline, thighs, belly, flanks (the dreaded love handles!), the neck, buttocks, almost anywhere. Traditional lipo works best on people with good skin quality, so that there isn’t loose skin hanging around at the end of the procedure. For those who are a bit older and whose skin might not “snap back” after lipo, here in our practice in Delaware, tummy tuck procedures are a great alternative to abdominal liposuction, both for men and for women. It’s a popular choice for women who have finished childbearing (as well as for the men who gained weight during their wife’s pregnancy!)

If you’re thinking about lipo for the man in your life, or for yourself, come in and see me in consultation. You’ll be surprised how sexy and young you feel afterwards!

Could Beauty be Bone Deep instead of Skin Deep?

2010-10-19T08:06:00.000-04:00

Like other plastic surgeons, I have focused on lifting the muscle and skin of my aging patients when performing a face lift in my Delaware plastic surgery office. Fat is often moved, as well—specifically the fat pad of the cheek—to a higher position to eliminate the flat look of the aging face. Sometimes, fat is injected to plump up that part of that face in need, such as around the temples, and between the mouth and nose, called the nasolabial folds.

However, researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center, joined by colleagues from Harvard and Stanford, have discovered, through an evaluation of 120 individuals’ CT scans, that beauty may indeed be bone deep, and this research may change the way plastic surgeons perform face lifts.

The 120 participants were divided into three groups by age: 20-36, 41-64 and 65+. Measurements of the facial bones were taken to evaluate whether or not the facial bone structure becomes smaller with age. Scientists know that most of us will shrink as we age, and these researchers discovered that a similar phenomenon occurs in the face: the jaw bone, especially, will shrink in size, causing sagging in the lower face and a jawline that seems to disappear with the years. Their research suggests that future face lift procedures may include bone grafting or the use of plastic prosthetics to “beef up” the lower face and allow the face lift to be just that much better.

Arms: Your Greatest Beauty Asset?

2010-10-12T13:54:00.000-04:00

Put those uncomfortable stilettos back in the closet. According to StyleList.com, a recent study has found that men are more attracted to a woman’s arms than her legs.

The study, which was administered by the University of New South Whales in Sydney, was recently published in the Journal of Evolutionary Biology. The study involved Chinese and Australian women and men. The men were asked to watch videos of 96 women from the ages of 20 to 49 and then to rate their appearance.

The researchers found that the length of a woman’s legs had no significant impact on how attractive she was perceived. On the contrary, women who had long arms were ranked continuously as the most attractive. Although the study pointed to a strong appeal to long arms, lead researcher Professor Robert Brooks attributes attraction to a combination of good traits.

"The dimensions can tell observers if that person is suitable as a potential mate, a long-term partner, or perhaps the threat they pose as a sexual competitor,” Professor Brooks told the Daily Mail.

Waist-to-hip ratio, age and weight are also common factors that play into our judgment of appearance. Next time you go to the gym, you might want to consider trading in squats and opting for push-ups instead.

Drink Those Wrinkles Away

2010-10-11T12:02:00.000-04:00

According to the Deccan Herald, a new study has found that drinking water can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Not only that, certain waters can reduce wrinkle depth more than others.

Any medical professional will tell you that drinking eight glasses of water a day is good for your health. For years, we have been told that staying hydrated adds to clear skin and a youthful complexion. Now there is solid evidence to back up these claims.

During the double-blind, placebo-controlled study, female volunteers has their skin analyzed with the VISIA complexion imaging system. Following their initial analysis, the women were asked to drink 1.5 liters of water daily for 8 weeks. In addition, the women were not advised not to change their diet or exercise routines.

A number of the participants drank only tap water over the course of 8 weeks, while others were given mineral-rich Willow Water from England. Willow Water contains willow bark extract that is high in salicin, an anti-inflammatory agent that metabolizes into salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is commonly found in many skincare and acne products.

At the end of the 8 weeks, the women had their skin analyzed once more with the VISIA complexion imaging system. Researchers found that the participants who drank tap water saw an overall 19% reduction of wrinkles, while the Willow Water-drinkers saw a 24% reduction.

The great news is you can now drink your way to better skin. The bad news? Willow Water is only available in the UK—for now.

Tip Asymmetry Leading Request for Rhinoplasty, Revision Rhinoplasty

2010-09-28T13:06:00.000-04:00

There are many reasons why someone would undergo rhinoplasty: deviated septum, collapsed nostrils, crooked nose, etc. HealthDay News recently reported that the number one aesthetic reason for rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty in patients is tip asymmetry.

The study, which was published in the September/October issue of the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, was administer by Kathy Yu, M.D. of Columbia College and Cornell University in New York. Yu and her colleagues used a questionnaire to analyze the functional and aesthetic concerns of 104 patients considering revision rhinoplasty.

According to the investigators, tip asymmetry topped the list as the most common aesthetic concern for surgeons and patients alike. The second most popular was the crooked middle third of the nose, followed by upper third irregularity. An average of 79 percent of surgeons shared the same aesthetic concerns as their patients.

"In conclusion, this study sheds light on the major concerns of patients seeking revision rhinoplasty and compares them with the surgeon's objective findings. These findings emphasize the importance of physician awareness of patients' concerns, understanding the causes of post-surgical nasal obstruction, and clearly explaining nasal aesthetics to patients seeking revision rhinoplasty,” the authors wrote.

For patients considering rhinoplasty for the first time or revision rhinoplasty, it is important that your doctor understand your aesthetic concerns and objectives. Whether it is difficulty breathing, a crooked middle third or an asymmetrical tip, it is important that the patient’s concerns are adequately communicated to their plastic surgeon.

The Line Between Cosmetics and Cosmeceuticals is Getting Thinner

2010-09-15T12:36:00.001-04:00

A recent article by Plastic Surgery Practice reports that the gray area between the skin care and cosmetics industry is growing. Global Industry Analysts, Inc., revealed that the color cosmetics market will reach $41.4 billion by 2015. This is due in part to the inclusion of UV protection, moisturizing components, and natural and organic ingredients in cosmetics. Makeup is now available in a multitude of formats, textures and pigments.

Not only that, consumers are now benefiting from an array of different treatment options available in the cosmetics, including anti-aging effects. There is a cosmetic product made for virtually every skin type and condition.

Going green is another trend that has been affecting the cosmetics industry. Product manufacturers are now beginning to include ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ ingredients such as vitamin E and plant extracts to attract consumers.

Once upon a time, makeup contained heavy pigments that clogged pores and caused skin irritation. Now, mineral blends and light-capturing crystals, like topaz and mother-of-pearl, are being used to give skin a natural, flawless appearance. To produce an intense color and limit smudging, lipsticks are beginning to incorporate vitamins A, C and E.

Referred to as cosmeceuticals, products with skincare benefits were once only made by high-end makeup lines such as Jane Iredale. Nowadays, one can walk into a drug store and nearly every makeup brand offers SPF-enriched or mineral products. With this growing gray area, it will be interesting to see how the boundaries of the FDA will adjust.

A Way to Treat Those Aging Lobes

2010-09-13T10:27:00.001-04:00

Just like any other area of skin, earlobes are prone to the signs of aging. From drooping earring holes wrinkled skin, your ears deserve to look just as beautiful as you do.

Dermal fillers—such as Juvederm or Radiesse—can now be used to treat aging earlobes. More commonly used for wrinkles in the face, these fillers can rejuvenate your maturing lobes. For earring holes that have drooped due to heavy jewelry, fillers can be injected to minimize the size of the whole and add support.

Plastic surgeons can also treat wrinkles on the earlobe with fillers as they would treat wrinkles around the eyes or mouth.

Avoiding sun exposure and heavy earrings are ways to prevent premature aging of the skin, however, collagen and elastin naturally breaks down over time.

While some patients prefer to undergo otoplasty for more permanent wrinkle reduction, dermal fillers both deliver permanent results and no downtime. If you are a Delaware resident considering fillers for your ears, our friendly staff at Danyo Plastic Surgery would be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have.

The Future of the Body Contouring Market

2010-08-30T13:07:00.000-04:00

Let’s face it, North America, particularly the U.S., is getting fatter. With rising obesity rates comes an increased demand in the body contouring market. Patients are seeking at latest ways to get their body in shape, and doctors are increasingly adapting to advancements in body contouring technology.

A recent article from BusinessWire.com predicts how the introduction of new devices, as well as the recession, will have an effect on the body contouring market over the next few years. There have been numerous devices approved since 2008 in the way of laser-assisted liposuction(LAL) and cryolipolysis that have recently become more available to consumers.

Despite the rising frequency of body contouring devices, the price of treatment may deter patients during the recession. Doctors have to earn back their investment on said devices, which cost upwards of $100,000, and do so through the cost of the treatment to patients. The cosmetic surgery industry is currently facing many obstacles; however, as patients postpone or even forego these elective procedures in order to conserve funds.

Despite the decline in device sales from 2008 to 2009, Millennium Research Group predicts an economic revival of the body contouring market to be reported for 2010.

SmartLipo MPX, the first dual-wavelength LAL device available in the market, was launched in Canada and the U.S. in 2008. Other big launches to take place in 2009 included CoolLipo by CoolTouch, SlimLipo by Palomar Medical Technologies, Syneron’s LipoLite, Sciton’s ProLipo PLUS and SmoothLipo by Elem Medical.

The first transdermal ultrasound device to be available in Canada was UltraShape’s Contour 1. In 2009, Medicis’ LipoSonix, which has had difficulty getting FDA approval, received Health Canada approval. To date, there are no transdermal ultrasound devices available in the U.S. In the way of cryolipolysis, Coolsculpting by Zeltiq has been available for off-label fat removal since last summer.

Even with the threats of the recession affecting the body contouring market, the obesity problem in North America guarantees a growing number of prospective patients available. Furthermore, as body contouring technology advances there will be a growing consumer demand and market growth.

Cosmetic Surgery is No Cure for Body Dysmorphic Disorder

2010-08-18T09:34:00.000-04:00

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) has been getting a lot of attention in the media recently. The condition, which drives people to constantly alter their appearance in a desire to be perfect, is oftentimes linked to plastic surgery. But do BDD sufferers actually benefit emotionally by undergoing plastic surgery? A new study’s says ‘no’. Despite these findings, there are surgeons who still provide requested surgeries to BDD sufferers.

The study, which was recently published in the Annals of Plastic Surgery, was spearheaded by Katharine A. Phillips, MD, is the director of the body image program at Rhode Island Hospital. Phillips defines BDD as “a psychiatric disorder characterized by preoccupation with an imagined or slight defect in appearance which causes clinically significant distress or functional impairment. A majority of these individuals believe they have an actual deformity that can be corrected by cosmetic treatments to fix these perceived defects rather than seeking psychiatric intervention."

Phillips co-authored the study with Canice Crerand, PhD, of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The researchers reported that previous studies showed BDD to be relatively common among individuals who underwent plastic surgery, accounting for roughly 7-8% American plastic surgery patients. The duo retrospectively studied 200 individuals with BDD. Of the group, 31% sought and 21% received surgical or minimally invasive treatments to remedy their BDD symptoms.

The study found that almost all of the individuals still experienced BDD symptoms, while some even developed new appearance fixations. The researchers also surveyed 265 cosmetic surgeons, of which 65% reported treating patients with BDD symptoms. Only one percent of the reported cases that were treated resulted in symptom improvement.

The most common surgical procedures among the patients were rhinoplasty and breast augmentation, while the most popular non-invasive treatments were dermal fillers and microdermabrasion. Three-quarters of all the desired procedures involved the face, and more than a third of the patients studied underwent numerous different treatments.

In the long-term, only 25% of patients with BDD showed a more positive appraisal of their treated body parts. Not only that, only two percent of treated patients saw a lasting improvement of their overall BDD symptoms.

Of the patients who sough treatment, 20% did not receive a procedure. Surprisingly, patients with BDD were turned down more often due inability to pay for a procedure than they were for their symptoms. Thirty percent of patients could not undergo their procedure due to financing, while 26% were refused treatment by a doctor. The researchers also found that surgeons were significantly less likely to refuse a cosmetic treatment than other procedures, such as dermatological, dental or otherwise.

"This suggests that many surgeons were not aware of the patient's BDD or do not consider BDD a contraindication to treatment,” says Phillips. “In a survey of 265 cosmetic surgeons, only 30 percent believed that BDD was always a contraindication to surgery."

While some cases of body dysmorphic disorder are easy to recognize, other cases are not so clear-cut. This study is an indicator that there should be more training and sensitivity in the aesthetic plastic surgery industry to the symptoms of BDD. While most patients have a healthy desire to simply enhance their features, the crippling symptoms of BDD could be the motive for patients to undergo cosmetic surgery.

2009 International Aesthetic Trends Now Available

2010-08-17T12:58:00.000-04:00

For the first time ever, accurate aesthetic plastic surgery statistics are available to the public. The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) issued the "ISAPS Biennial Global Survey™" to surgeons in order to gauge aesthetic trends in the top 25 countries and regions for plastic surgery. The Survey represented 75% of all procedures performed in 2009.

Although the ISAPS Biennial Global Survey™ confirmed that the United States remains the country with the most procedures performed annually, there are some countries that are emerging as major centers that may be surprising. Making the top ten list are a few other countries that are not always associated with plastic surgery:
1.    United States
2.    China
3.    Brazil
4.    India
5.    Mexico
6.    Japan
7.    South Korea
8.    Germany
9.    Turkey
10.    Spain

The Survey also revealed that, contrary to popular belief, breast augmentation is not the most popular invasive procedure performed internationally. The top 5 invasive aesthetic procedures are as follows:
1.    Liposuction-18.8%
2.    Breast Augmentation-17%
3.    Blepharoplasty-13.5%
4.    Rhinoplasty-9.4%
5.    Abdominoplasty or Tummy Tuck-7.3%

As for as non-surgical procedures go, neuromodulators like Botox® top the list in popularity. Not only that, the overall number of non-surgical cosmetic treatments performed surpassed the number of surgical procedures. The top 5 non-invasive aesthetic treatments for 2009 were:
1.    Neuromodulators such as Botox® and Dysport®-32.7%
2.    Hyaluronic acid injections such as Juvederm and Radiesse-20.1%
3.    Laser hair removal-13.1%
4.    Fat grafting-5.9%
5.    IPL treatments-4.4%

Amongst other things, the Survey established that there are approximately 30,817 board certified (or national equivalent) plastic surgeons currently practicing. The number of surgical procedures performed globally in 2009 was 8,536,379, while the number of non-invasive treatments was 8,759,187.

The ISAPS Biennial Global Survey™ was created and proctored by Industry Insights, Inc., an independent research firm from Columbus, OH. Scott Hackworth, a CPA who, along with the firm, has 15 years of experience in researching trends in aesthetic plastic surgery, led the Survey. The two-page, English-based questionnaire was administered to different international plastic surgery societies and focused on the aesthetic procedures performed in 2009.

Study: Less Frequent Botox Injections Achieve Same Results

2010-08-12T08:02:00.001-04:00

A study recently found that patients require less frequent Botox® injections after two years of treatment to maintain the same wrinkle-reducing effect.

“After two years of treatment at recommended intervals, patients can potentially cut the frequency, and thus, the cost of their Botox® treatments by half,” says Roger A. Daily, leader of the study and professor of oculofacial plastic surgery at the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). The research also showed that Botox® injections are capable of preventing wrinkles in patients who begin treatment during their 30s.

During the study, 50 females aged 30 to 50-years-old were analyzed over two years while they underwent regular Botox® injections. Dailey and his colleagues found that, after undergoing injections every four months for two years, patients can slow the frequency to once every six months and still see desired results.

Physicians previously advised patients—based on earlier research—that they should undergo Botox® injections every three months to see maximum wrinkle-smoothing benefits. According to Dailey, the cost and frequency of Botox® deterred some patients from starting or even continuing their treatment.

Botox® was approved by the FDA for cosmetic purposed eight years ago. In 2009 alone, more than 2.5 million Americans underwent the popular injection (source: ASPAS). Botox® in Delaware should be injected by, or under the supervision of, a board certified plastic surgeon.

Japan Makes Sizable Advances in the Use of Stem Cells During Fat Grafting

2010-08-09T09:22:00.000-04:00

Fat grafting is an alternative used during soft tissue augmentation that has grown in popularity over the past few years. Although this technique has been around for over a decade, recent international advancements and the use of stem cells have dramatically increased the presence of fat grafting in the plastic surgery industry.

Fat grafting is beneficial in that it only leaves incisional scars and often has less complication then injecting dermal fillers and other foreign substances into the body. Although doctors around the world have been working hard to improve the final result of fat grafting, physicians in Japan have recently made the most important headway

Kotaro Yoshimura, M.D., associate professor of plastic surgery at the University of Tokyo, is leading the investigation into the use of stem cells of aesthetic applications. The doctor and his team recently developed a strategy called cell-assisted lipotransfer (CAL) to overcome some common issues with traditional fat grafting such as unpredictable results and low fat cell survival rates due to necrosis.

How CAL Works:
Stem cells found within adipose (fat) tissue are combined with traditionally lipoinjection. The fat removed after liposuction is split in half and stem cells from one half of the fat are removed and added to the other part of the fat. This process creates stem cell-enriched fat. Dr. Yoshimura and his colleagues found that after grafting fat, some of the cells die off and are replaced by new fat generated by the stem cells. The amount of stem cells contained in the graft is crucial in determining the final results following lipoinjection.

Dr. Yoshimura has tested the CAL process on more than 450 breast augmentation and restoration patients since 2003. The results demonstrated CAL as a safe and effective alternative for soft tissue augmentation.

How Stem Cells Are Isolated:
There are three basic steps executed during CAL: fat and stem cells are extracted from a donor site, the soft tissue is purified, and then the tissue is injected elsewhere into the body. The most difficult step in the process is isolating the stem cells from the rest of the fat cells. This can be done manually using a cell-processing room or automatically using Tissue Genesis technology.

According to Dr. Yoshimura, using stem cell-enriched fat during grafting may boost the safety and effectiveness of the traditional methods. The fat stem cells may even have a therapeutic effect, similar to bone marrow-derived stem cells, which can aid in the healing process following lipoinjection.

These advances in stem cell technology are certainly promising, however, Dr. Yoshimura stresses that the long term safety and efficacy of CAL still needs to be studied. Patients with a low BMI may also be poor candidates for fat grafting as issues may arise in harvesting enough fat and stem cells to make the procedure successful.

C-Tucks: Unsafe For Regaining a Post-Baby Body

2010-08-09T09:15:00.000-04:00

While celebrities like Jessica Alba and Gisele Bundchen may be able to bounce back to their pre-baby bodies quite easily, not all women can slim down with ease just weeks after childbirth. Skinny celeb mommas—who have the luxury of hiring personal trainers, chefs, and nutritionists—have sparked rumors about a controversial new cosmetic procedure: the ‘C-Tuck’.

The C-Tuck is a cesarean section for childbirth, immediately followed by a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty). If the idea of having a little nip and tuck during childbirth sounds too good to be true, it probably is. It is hard to find a doctor offering the procedure, however, this is not a surprise as the C-Tuck is considered to be relatively unsafe. While OB/GYNs or other unlicensed individuals may be performing C-Tuck’s under the radar, you won’t catch a board-certified plastic surgeon cashing in this trend.

The average abdominoplasty can take up to five hours, which would require an unsafe amount of anesthesia for both the mother and child. Combining an abdominoplasty with a cesarean section could be potentially deadly for both parties. In addition, a woman’s hormone levels are spiked during childbirth and therefore the skin and soft tissue of the abdomen may not heal the same with a C-Tuck as it would with a standard tummy tuck.

C-Tucks can also run a high risk of infection as there are numerous cavities exposed to a combination of fluids during a cesarean section. By adding another in another procedure, there is more tissue exposed to pathogens. Combining a hysterectomy with a tummy tuck is a more controlled procedure that is more commonly practiced.

If you are a mom who is considering a tummy tuck, I recommend waiting at least nine months after childbirth before undergoing the procedure. Patients will see optimum results if they allow their body to heal and the abdominal skin to shrink as much as possible. Also, you should not undergo an abdominoplasty unless you do not plan on having any more children. Giving birth after a tummy tuck can reverse the results of the procedure completely.

While C-Tucks would certainly make life easier on moms, they are neither realistic nor safe. Tummy tucks in Delaware should only be performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon, not an OB/GYN or otherwise.

All About SmartLipo

2010-07-31T17:02:00.000-04:00

SmartLipo is the latest form of liposuction technology that combines traditional fat removal methods with laser technology for maximum results. Laser technology, which is used routinely in dental procedures, lasik eye surgery, facial rejuvenation and hair removal, is what sets SmartLipo apart from its competition.

“Laser” is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Medical-grade lasers create a powerful light beam that is adjusted to a specific frequency range to precisely treat targeted areas.

SmartLipo differs from traditional liposuction in that it uses a carefully calibrated laser to liquefy fat deposits through the top layer of the patient’s skin. The fat is then removed through a tiny incision in the skin made by the doctor.

What makes SmartLipo different from traditional liposuction is that it can also seal blood vessels as it liquefies the fat cells. This reduces swelling, bleeding and bruising and gives the patient less down time. SmartLipo may reduce downtime drop reduce complications.

SmartLipo is also an FDA approved liposuction treatment that has undergone rigorous clinical trials. The laser used also stimulates the production of collagen in the skin, giving it a firmer, more youthful appearance. Delaware residents who are interested in liposuction will benefit greatly from the advantages that SmartLipo has to offer over traditional liposuction.

While SmartLipo is considered minimally invasive, it is still a procedure that should be performed by a physician. When considering liposuction, choose a board-certified plastic surgeon who has experience in the latest technologies in fat removal.

Cigarettes Not Only Cause Wrinkles, They Cause Acne

2010-07-31T16:49:00.000-04:00

Cigarettes are undoubtedly bad for you. They’re expensive, have been linked to cancer and are known to cause premature wrinkles. If that isn’t enough to make someone kick the habit for good, the American Academy of Dermatology recently published a report claiming that smoking is correlated to adult non-inflammatory acne.

The study, which was done in Rome, found that 85% of the women had comedonal post-adolescent acne (CPAA), a type of acne characterized by black heads and large pores. Prior to the study, CPAA was believed to be less common than cystic inflammatory acne.

Not only did the majority of subjects have CPAA, 72.9% of the women with CPAA smoked. On the contrary, only 29.4% of women with cystic inflammatory acne identified themselves as smokers. The study also found that the more the women smoked, the worse their CPAA was. Smoking showed no effect on the skin of women with cystic inflammatory acne.

The average smoker spends $2,000 a year alone on cigarettes. Add in medical costs, skincare treatments and other related expenses and you have yourself one expensive habit. Not only that, the negative effects to your health should be enough to persuade anyone to quit. For Delaware residents who are interested in quitting, the state Quit Line is an excellent resource for support advice.

Get Botox®, Get Happy!

2010-07-21T14:56:00.000-04:00

The running joke with Botox® is that patients can’t frown or show emotion. A recent study has found that this inability to show emotion may make you a happier person.

Botulinum toxin, the active ingredient in Botox®, is used to temporarily weaken the muscles in the face that cause wrinkles. This not only gets rids of lines in the face, it also limits the body’s ability to move the muscles in the face and express emotion.

The study, which was administered by Barnard College in New York, found that people who have a limited ability to physically express emotion might in turn feel less emotional. Botox® prevents feedback to the brain about such facial expressivity, therefore tricking the brain into thinking that there is less emotion felt during an event.

Joshua Davis, a psychologist at Barnard, and his colleagues showed people emotionally charged videos both before and after they were injected with Botox®. After viewing the videos, the subjects that were injected with Botox® exhibited a significant decrease in the strength of the emotional experience as opposed to the control group.

The study findings tie into a long-standing idea in psychology that dates back to Charles Darwin. The facial feedback hypothesis, which was later developed by William James, simply states that facial movement can influence emotional experience.

If simply frowning can ruin your mood, then not being able to frown should make you a happier person. Now that’s something to smile about!

Adding a Boost to Your Booty

2010-07-21T11:29:00.000-04:00

Not everyone is blessed with curves like Kim Kardashian or Scarlett Johansson. Cameron Diaz was even quoted in Marie Claire saying: “I’d love a bigger butt, more meat on my bones. I’d love to be more voluptuous…” Curvaceous celebrities like Kim and Scarlett have ignited the latest trend in plastic surgery: buttock augmentation.

There are numerous methods to naturally boosting ones backside, including everything from gluteus exercises to padded jeans. Although these methods may provide a temporary improvement, the more permanent method is through buttock augmentation via fat grafting (a.k.a. Brazilian Butt Lift). Using fat grafting, patients have fat removed via liposuction from another part of their body and injected into the buttock. The patient benefits from having two cosmetic procedures in one.

Fat transfer is in no way a new technique in plastic surgery. Fat grafting has been used for years to restore fullness to aging faces. Recent research has found that fat also has a high level of stem cells that can be transferred through grafting. This allows the patient to have minimal volume loss after some of the fat dies off or regenerates following the procedure. Even though regeneration is possible, patients should expect to retain about 50% of the volume from their augmentation.

For slender women with low BMI, such as Cameron Diaz, you may be out of luck. The “Brazilian Butt Lift” is usually performed with the patient’s own fat, and therefore the patient must have enough fat in other parts of the body to harvest. For Delaware residents considering buttock augmentation, you should seek out a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in fat transfer and liposuction to perform your procedure.

Study Rules Out UVA as Direct Cause of Melanoma

2010-07-15T15:38:00.000-04:00

According to a recent study from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, ultraviolet A (UVA) exposure in early life is no longer considered a direct cause of melanoma. The study, which tested UVA and UVB exposure on fish, found that there was no connection between UVA exposure at a young age and melanoma development and that UVA is unlikely to have contributed to the rise in occurrences of melanoma over the past 30 years.

While the study disconfirms any direct link between UVA exposure and melanoma, UVA rays are by no means harmless. UVA is considered a carcinogen and can suppress the immune system as well as cause premature aging of the skin. The researchers also stated that it is possible that continued exposure to UVA could expedite the progression of cells that are
already pre-cancerous.

The study examined the effects of UVA and UVB light on melanoma-prone fish during the first 5-10 days of their life. While the fish exposed to the UVB light had a 43% frequency of melanoma, the control group had an 18.4% frequency and the fish exposed to UVA had only a 12.4% frequency.

In 1993, a crucial study linked UVA exposure to melanoma. Up until that point sunscreens only protected against UVB rays. This turned into a massive public health concern knowing that UVA makes up 90% of the ultraviolet spectrum. This study caused many people to believe that the high rate of melanoma over the past 30 years was linked to early UVA exposure prior to updates made to sunscreen.

The University of Texas researchers were unable to duplicate the results of the 1993 study performed using the mammalian model. In hindsight, there were numerous problems with the research and sample sizes previously use. Using a larger sample size to obtain stronger conclusions, The University of Texas researchers did not have the same findings about the effect of UVA on melanoma using the mammalian model.

The revamped mammalian study found that UVA may encourage melanin free radicals that react with DNA to form oxidative damage that will indirectly lead to melanoma, however, UVB exposure was found to directly damage DNA. No direct link between UVA and melanoma was found.

While UVA exposure has been ruled out for directly causing melanoma, further research is still needed to understand what type of indirect damage it may cause. Future studies may prove that UVA and UVB work symbiotically to cause or increase chances of melanoma. No matter what, I highly recommend to keep sun exposure to a minimum and always wear sunscreen!

Acupuncture for Your Health & Beauty

2010-07-07T12:19:00.000-04:00

Acupuncture is common alternative treatment for common ailments and diseases such as migraines, fibromyalgia, and osteoarthritis. According to a recent article from NewBeauty Magazine, certified cosmetic acupuncturists are using the ancient treatment as an alternative to filler-packed needles.

Celebrities who are known for their holistic tendencies, such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna, are said to be fans of the minimally painful treatment. Some of the results can include reduction of wrinkles and discoloration over time.

While some spas have named the treatment an “acupuncture facelift” on their service menus, this is not condoned by the American Cosmetic Acupuncture Association (ACAA). The ACAA warns that this terminology give clients an unrealistic expectation of the actual results. While the AACA recommends extended acupuncture treatment in order to see desired results, clinical studies have already shown acupuncture to have positive effects on the skin.

Acupuncture originated in China thousands of years ago and has gained popularity in the U.S. over the past three decades. Besides it's cosmetic benefits, acupuncture is used to treat a large variety of medical problems including asthma, depression, sinusitis, fatigue and low energy. Acupuncture can also reduce pain, swelling and bruising after surgery also. Treatments are surprisingly comfortable an sometimes take just a few minutes. For your safety, I recommend that you seek a certified and experienced acupuncturist for your treatment.

To Your Health & Beauty,

Dr. J. Joseph Danyo

Saving Face: Hidden Dangers of Microdermabrasion

2010-07-06T15:07:00.002-04:00

Skin resurfacing is one of the most sought after non-invasive skincare treatments. Skin resurfacing is done with lasers, chemical peels, and quite often microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion is often considered a reliable way to treat acne, scarring, and uneven skin; however, the traditional process could be more harmful than they are helpful.

Traditionally, microdermabrasion helps to smooth the skin's top layers by surgical scraping or sanding using aluminum oxide crystals. During the procedure, the outermost layer of skin is removed with a rough wire brush and the dead skin cells and crystals are then vacuumed off. Once praised in the cosmetic industry, the earlier methods are now being criticized by medical professionals due to the negative effects of the aluminum oxide crystals.

An article by StyleList.com reports that traditional microdermabrasion treatments can have post-treatment reactions. The named reactions include intense redness, infections, streaking from pressure on the probe, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. When not executed by a trained professional or physician, crystals can scatter into the hair, lashes and ears, which can cause to corneal scratches and abrasions.

Never fear, for there are newer technologies available for microdermabrasion treatments. Most modern microdermabrasion treatments use diamond tips and other alternatives in place of aluminum oxide crystals. If you are concerned about the treatment, make sure to check with your physician about what type of microdermabrasion they use.

Even though microdermabrasion is considered a noninvasive procedure, it is imperative to have your treatment performed under the guidance of board-certified plastic surgeon. Microdermabrasions in Wilmington, DE, can be performed by licensed aestheticians. More aggressive microdermabrasion treatments, however, should be performed by the plastic surgeon themself.

Male Vanity Shows in Cosmetic Procedures

2010-06-29T11:36:00.000-04:00

There’s a growing trend in cosmetic treatments among men: sclerotherapy. The procedure, which has been around since the 1930s, is used to diminish the appearance of varicose and spider veins. Sclerotherapy involves an injection of a solution (usually saline) directly into the problematic veins. The solution virtually kills the affected veins, causing them to disintegrate over time.

According to a recent story by NewBeauty Magazine, sclerotherapy has seen an overwhelming boost in popularity among men. The number of men seeking the treatment over the past five years has risen over 200
percent! According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, more men are now increasingly opting to treat their unsightly leg veins instead of selecting the once-popular hair transplants.

This isn’t the first time there has been a boost in cosmetic treatments among men. Time Magazine reported that between 2001 and 2007 the number of men using Botox® nearly tripled. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), men currently make up 9% of plastic surgery patients, with Botox® being the most popular minimally invasive treatment.

Perhaps the growth in cosmetic surgery among men has to do with its growing prevalence in the media. Some even suggest that between the recession and competitive job market, men are seeking out cosmetic enhancements to maintain a competitive edge.

As with any cosmetic treatment, it is important to have sclerotherapy and Botox® injections performed under the supervision of a board-certified plastic surgeon.

The Terrors of Tanorexia

2010-06-16T10:58:00.004-04:00

A recent study of 421 college kids suggests that tanning beds might be addictive. It’s true. NY-based researchers, Catherine Mosher and Sharon Danoff-Burg, conducted a study geared to identifying addictions to alcohol and marijuana among college students. In the study, they inserted some questions regarding tanning, to see if there was any correlation with that activity. To their surprise, 40% of the students appeared to have addictions to tanning. They admitted to the same obsessive desire to tan as they did to regular ingestion of alcohol and weed. You can see the details of their research in the Archives of Dermatology Journal.

The recently-approved Health Care Bill includes a 10% tanning tax, as a substitute for the previous proposed tax on plastic surgery enhancements, which was called the “Botax.” Once the Botax was defeated, the 10% tax on tanning was substituted. This is not a bad idea, considering a recent CNN story that shows tanning bed users have*three times the risk for skin cancer as non-users.*

So why the addiction to tanning beds? Is it just about looking good?

Apparently not. It’s all about the feel-good chemicals released from the habit. Nina Goad, of the British Association of Dermatologists, was quoted in the UK's Daily Mail newspaper that previous research suggests "feel-good" chemicals are released as a response to sunlight, and that this might clarify why tanning has become addictive for some people.

As a physician, I don’t regard this as a major study—after all, it’s only 421 college students, and there was no “control group,” which is a piece of every good study. Still, it focuses on the point that tanning can be bad for people from several angles. Here in our Delaware plastic surgery office, my staff and I see sun-damaged skin often. We use lasers to treat sun-damaged skin to improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin to eliminate the roughness, red and brown spots.

Remember, the skin is your body’s largest organ. If you aren’t sure about the level of your skin’s damage from sun worshipping or using tanning beds, come to our office for a skin review. Our professionally trained medical
aesthetician will analyze your skin to reveal any problems now, before they become bigger problems later! Laser treatments have been shown to offer tremendous aid to sun-damaged skin.

To your health & beauty,

Dr. Joe Danyo

Is Tanning Addictive?

2010-06-09T10:22:00.001-04:00

The recently-approved Health Care Bill includes a 10% tanning tax, as a substitute for the previous proposed tax on plastic surgery enhancements, which was called the “Botax.” Once the Botax was defeated, the 10% tax on tanning was substituted. This is not a bad idea, considering a recent CNN story that shows tanning bed users have three times the risk for skin cancer as non-users.

So why the addiction to tanning beds? Is it just about looking good? Apparently not. It’s all about the feel-good chemicals released from the habit. Nina Goad, of the British Association of Dermatologists, was quoted in the UK's Daily Mail newspaper that previous research suggests "feel-good" chemicals are released as a response to sunlight, and that this might clarify why tanning has become addictive for some people.

Remember, the skin is your body’s largest organ. If you aren’t sure about the level of your skin’s damage from sun worshipping or using tanning beds, come to our office for a skin review. Our professionally trained medical aesthetician will analyze your skin to reveal any problems now, before they become bigger problems later! Laser treatments have been shown to offer tremendous aid to sun-damaged skin.

To your health and beauty,

Dr. Joe Danyo

New Injection for Veins Approved by the FDA

2010-06-06T09:57:00.000-04:00

The FDA has approved a new treatment for spider and varicose veins—Asclera.

Although this product is not new in Europe or Canada, it was just approved here. It’s another injectable that can be used for spider veins. It has an excellent track record for safety elsewhere.

Polidocanol (that’s the generic name for Asclera) collapses the vein with the use of fluid. It is similar to other products previously used in sclerotherapy, but it does not leave open sores and discoloration. Actually, we don’t find that to be a problem in our practice in any case, but it’s good to know there’s a new alternative.

Age and genetics are factors to the development of varicose veins, as well as sitting or standing too long on hard surfaces and wearing clothing that’s too tight. If you do a great deal fo standing, be sure to put your feet up when you get home, even if just for 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, the majority of those with varicose veins don’t treat them unless they become unsightly. This can be a mistake, as they can become painful and even create a blood clot.

If you’re bothered with veins, please come in and see us about them. We’ll do a detailed examination and see if we can help you eliminate them either with laser treatments or sclerotherapy. In addition to the cosmetic benefit, sclerotherapy may also remedy the uncomfortable symptoms associated with spider veins, including aching, burning, swelling and night cramps.

To your health and beauty,

Dr. Joe Danyo

LASER ASSISTED LIPO: HELPFUL OR HYPE?

2010-05-10T15:40:00.010-04:00

At our most recent ASAPS (American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery) meeting in Washington, DC, two board certified plastic surgeon colleagues presented both sides of the laser liposuction debate. Dr. Barry DiBernardo of New Jersey is a proponent of laser liposuction while Dallas-based Dr. Jeffrey Kenkel is less excited about lasers’ inclusion in liposuction.

The ASAPS’ annual statistics show that Lipoplasty (the medical term for fat removal) is the second most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in America. Nearly 300,000 of them were performed in 2009. Since the first laser-assisted Lipoplasty device was approved by the FDA in 2006, surgeons have been in a hot debate about whether it’s a great new tool or just good marketing on the part of companies such as SmartLipo.

Basically, laser-assisted Lipoplasty means that a laser is used to break up the fat cells before they are suctioned out of the body. A tiny incision is made through which a laser probe is inserted and aimed at the fatty tissue to rupture the fat cells. Then the laser is pulled back toward the skin to stimulate the skin cells to tighten, a feature that doesn’t happen in traditional liposuction.

"Over the last two-and-a-half years there has been extensive research and development into laser-assisted lipoplasty, including multiple rounds of research and comparative studies published in peer-reviewed journals," said Dr. DiBernardo, a plastic surgeon in Montclair, NJ. "Ultimately, laser-assisted lipolysis has come to be an important tool in the fat loss armamentarium."

"It is important to note that no device is a magic wand," added Dr. Kenkel, a plastic surgeon in Dallas, TX. "Despite any hype generated by manufacturers, physicians, patients, or the media, results are ultimately practitioner-driven."

The bottom line? Any kind of cosmetic surgery should be done by a board certified plastic surgeon, not someone who has taken a weekend course or two. No tool can replace the skill and experience of a board certified plastic surgeon. Check out my website to see the before/after photos that I’ve shared regarding SmartLipo, a technique I have found to be highly effective!

To your health & beauty,

Dr. Joe Danyo