Fraxel Re:pair by Reliant has hit the internet in a most unique manner! Health and Beauty correspondent Marta Waller of KTLA, Channel 5 in Los Angeles has documented her Fraxel re:pair experience in a daily video blog available at KTLA.com and at The Chicago Tribune.com. Ms. Waller truly "stuck her neck out" for this investigative report. She recently underwent Fraxel repair treatment of her face, eyes, nec, and décolletage at my office. You can see the first installment at http://ktla.trb.com/news/health/ktla-video-dairy-marta1,0,3083829.htmlstory. Ms. Waller will also be featuring the story on the KTLA evening news, followed by the Morning News. Look for her segment on Channel 5 this week. I believe that Ms. Waller's story with video documentation will be of value to men and women who desire a more beautiful and younger appearance with a single non-invasive office based treatment. The story will answer many of the questions, and clear up some of the confusion regarding this incredible cutting edge treatment. Fraxel re:pair by Reliant fractionated CO2 laser technology is truly where facial plastic of the next 10 years is headed.

I was recently asked by Colin Stewart of The Orange County Register what I would recommend if the talented and naturally beautiful star, Ms. Sally Fields, presented for a consultation in my office. My first answer was that it would depend on what she came to the office seeking. I do not believe in "telling" patients what they need. Over the years I have had numerous patients share their horrid experiences with cosmetic physicians who recommended procedures for features that the patients had not even given a thought about. At any rate, just about anyone seeking to look their best and a few years younger while they are at it, will benefit from Fraxel re:pair by Reliant . To see the OC Register article go to http://inyourface.freedomblogging.com/2008/06/16/cosmetic-doctors-advise-sally-field-how-to-fix-her-face/.

Sweet dreams funny man, you made us laugh at ourselves. May your soul be bound to eternal life.

There were so many television cameras around our office the past two days that I would not have been surprised had Steve Carell, Jenna Fischer, and their Dunder Miffin Corporation pals shown up. Earlier in the week, BBC correspondent Ms. Kate Spicer came in for a consultation and filmed a Fraxel repair treatment for an hour show that will air this summer in Europe. Today, KTLA, Channel 5 in Los Angeles, filmed a full face, eyelid, neck, and décolletage Fraxel re:pair treatment on their health reporter, the lovely Ms. Marta Waller who will be documenting her experience in a daily video blog (http://ktla.trb.com/news/health/). Talk about sticking your neck out for your job. Ms. Waller should look even younger and more beautiful when she accepts her Emmy for this investigative report, above and beyond the call of duty.

In the early years of rhinoplasty, having a nose that looked operated on was somewhat of a status symbol, so much so that a few surgeons had characteristic noses that they created consistently on their patients. In New York City there was the "Diamond" nose, and in Los Angeles the "Parkes" nose. Today, the goal of any good cosmetic surgery is a natural look. Recently in my practice I have come to realize that there are thousands of people who have a minor bump, hump, or tip disproportion that has bothered them for a long time, but feared having it repaired because they did not want the rest of their nose and appearance changed. They didn't want to end up with the Dr. "you fill in the name" nose job. Now those slight nasal "offending parties" can be corrected with a subtle rhinoplasty. The procedure is quicker and easier for the patient as the nasal bones are not broken, the nasal septum (center divider of the nose) is not operated upon, and there is no packing placed into the nose. There is no to minimal bruising, swelling, or pain. Nasal breathing can be improved at the same time. The downtime is only 4 to 5 days, and full normal activities can be resumed in 14 days. Patients need no longer fear that their entire look will change. Call our office to find out if that little thing that bothers you about your nose can be taken care of with the subtle, finesse rhinoplasty.

I have been fortunate to use Previle Silk hyaluronic acid filler with lidocaine on a few of my patients. It is the first FDA approved hyaluronic acid filler available in the United States. It is manufactured by Mentor Corp. in lovely Santa Barbara, CA. The word "silk" aptly describes the product as it flows and fills very smoothly. It is too early for me to judge how long it will last. It is stated that it should last for 90 days. I like using the product for it's anesthetic effect, and then follow it with the longer acting fillers at the same sitting. This "new kid on the block" will rapidly become a popular hyaluronic acid filler. Patients have been very pleased with the comfort of injection, and I appreciate not having to use dental blocks to fill the lips.

I just returned from The Aesthetic Show at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas. Over the next week or so I hope to share with you the highlights of the meeting. The largest buzz of the meeting was non-invasive aesthetic treatments for fat sculpting and facial rejuvenation. Laser and light treatments are definitely in, and the wars on cellulite have officially begun. Fractionated CO2 lasers for facial rejuvenation (Fraxel repair, Deep FX, mixto, smartxide dot, and others) are the wave of the future for non-surgical facial rejuvenation. Fat and cellulite are very popular treatment options. Smartlipo and Vaser high definition body sculpting were featured with impressive results. Alexander Rifkin, MD of the Westside Medspa in Westwood, CA presented the non-surgical rhinoplasty. Stephen Mulholland, MD, (SpaMedica med spa clinics) and Mark Tager, MD presented pearls from their recent book, "The Art of Aesthetic Practice, How to Profit form the Cosmetic Boom". The Silk N home laser hair reduction device was presented. David Matlock, MD presented his Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation techniques, including The G-Spot Shot (TM). Imagine my surprise when I arrived to the meeting on the first day a little late (as a facial plastic surgeon) into the large, darkened convention center general session room with a vagina projected on the screen. After rushing from the airport to the convention center, I thought that I had walked into the wrong medical convention. As I recover from the excitement of the weekend meeting, I hope to expand upon some of the new treatment modalities that were presented. Saturday night I visited the World Series of Poker, and I later was fortunate to see comedian Steven Wright perform. Unknowingly, he summarized what is new in plastic surgery in one of his dry witty jokes, “I just got the most spectacular technology. It is the greatest new, advanced technology. It is incredible. In fact it is so futuristic and advanced that you don't even need it". Be well.