Dr. Persky appeared on the front page of today's Los Angeles Daily News in an article entitled "Cosmetic Surgery Gets a Lift" written by Barbara Correa. Here are links to the articles, which ran today in the LA Daily News: http://www.dailynews.com/ci_10585601 http://www.dailynews.com/ci_10585602 The article addresses financing of elective cosmetic procedures. We now offer Care Credit financing in our office. Be well.

Dr. Persky will be featured on the local PBS television station KOCE in Los Angeles, and Orange County discussing Fraxel re:pair laser skin rejuvenation. The show will air Wednesday October 1, 2008 at 7:30 p.m., and then again on Friday October 3, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. The viewing party and wrap party will be held at Les Deux in Hollywood with the stars from the Hills....just kidding about this part. Be well.

Colin Stewart, cosmetic medicine columnist of the Orange County Register asked me to comment on whether my patients still request facial features "like Angelina Jolie's" -- or have other celebrities edged her out? The most common request from my patients regarding a feature of Angelina Jolie's that they would like on them is Brad Pitt! Second to that are lips, most patients would love to have her lips, while others do not want their lips to "be as full as Angelina Jolie's". Angelina possesses the classical features of beauty that were described by Leonardo da Vinci during his anatomy studies and drawings of 1511. His proportions are used by plastic surgeons today. Angelina's face is very symmetric. Her face can be divided into 3 equal thirds horizontally, her forehead, her brows to her upper lip, and her upper lip to chin. Likewise, vertically her face can be divided into equal fifths, each the width of the distance between her eyes. Her forehead is flawless (Botox?). Her nose fits her face and allows us to focus on her beautifully shaped eyes. And then of course those sexy Angelina lips. Are they real or not? I won't tell, but only Angelina and her injector know for sure. Enough on her, Brad, know that you are still the most requested feature of Angelina that my patients request. Check out the Orange County Register later this week for the complete article.

At the recent American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery meetings in Chicago, Amy S. Anstead, MD; Steven H. Dayan, MD. presented their research, "Botulinum Toxin A Can Positively Impact First Impression". Their research showed that first impressions of a person are influenced by facial appearance and improved by Botox treatment. Photos were taken of the study participants before and after the treatment with the botulinum toxin A, then the photos were randomly divided into books with each subject represented only once per book. Evaluators who were unaware of which pictures had been treated or not treated with Botox completed a survey rating their first impression on various measures of success for each photo in the book. Subjects who received the injections improved first impression scores for scales of dating success, attractiveness, and athletic success The authors did not find any positive correlation between botulinum toxin A injection and increased scores regarding social skills, financial, or relationship success. Dr. Dayan's recent book is entitled "Instant Beauty".

Here's the catch, a national TV show ("The Secret Lives of Women " on WE network) is doing a show on "Trophy Wives", and are requesting a volunteer trophy wife (don't ask me for the exact definition, but you know who you are, or who your friends are) to be treated with fillers (Restylane, Juviderm, Radiesse, Elevess, and/or Preville Silk) and/or Botox. The lucky "T.W." will be treated by Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon, Michael A. Persky, MD. Contact at:(818) 501-3223 or drpersky@aol.com

I, like all of you, was and continue to be deeply saddened by the local Metro link train crash in Chatsworth on Friday, September 12, 2008. I know that many survivors suffered facial and other lacerations, some of which may result in permanent scars. I would like to offer those involved in the accident with scars Fraxel re:store laser treatments at no cost. The treatment is relatively painless, quick, and involves anywhere from one to a series of treatments until the scar is maximally improved. The treatment can blend scars so that they are nearly imperceptible. Please call my office to set up an appointment. I hope that everyone heals well and that this service will be not be necessary. Be well.

To those of us that would rather not have needles and shots, there may be some good news on the horizon. PSP eReports tells us that researchers at the University of Massachusetts Lowell Nanomanufacturing Center have developed a skin cream based in part on botulinium toxin, which, according to the patent application recently submitted to the US government, could be administered topically or as a transdermal patch. It had been thought that Botox could not pass through the skin. But the researchers have discovered that the toxin passes through with ease if it is attached to a nanoparticle in an emulsion. The nanoemulsion also keeps the toxin stable, they claim, giving the cream a possible shelf life of up to 2 years. I know many patients who will be happy when this new product hits the market. Stay tuned.

Lumigan 0.03%, manufactured by Allergan as a glaucoma eye drop is gaining popularity as an eye lash enhancer. As noted below in the "warnings" section, one of the side effects is the growth of eyelashes. Patients are seeing imrpovement as soon as 3 weeks. The product is available from physicians by prescription only. Instructions for use for eyelash growth: Remove Lumigan dropper cap and dip eyeliner brush into bottle. Apply with eyeliner brush as you would eyeliner, once daily until lashes are desired length (it may take 1-3 months to achieve the desired length), then once weekly for maintenance. If irritation occurs, stop for 1 week then start again every other day. Rinse after each use and keep brush in clean baggie or replace cap over brush. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor. Warnings: Lumigan® (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03% has been reported to cause changes to pigmented tissues. When used for glaucoma as eye drops on the eye, the most frequently reported changes have been increased pigmentation of the iris (the colored portion of the eye), periorbital tissue (eyelid) and eyelashes, and growth of eyelashes. Pigmentation is expected to increase as long as Lumigan® is administered. After discontinuation of Lumigan® pigmentation of the iris is likely to be permanent while pigmentation of the periorbital tissue and eyelash changes have been reported to be reversible in some patients. Patients who receive treatment should be informed of the possibility of increased pigmentation. The effects of increased pigmentation beyond 5 years are not known. For additional Important Information about Lumigan® call 818 501-face.

Innovative British journalist Ms. Kate Spicer traveled to the U.S. this summer to investigate the latest facial cosmetic non-invasive treatments. She began in New York City, where she received Botox and Sculptra injections by doctors including Madonna's cosmetic injection physician Fredric Brandt, MD. She then traveled to Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and Encino. Having consulted with multiple physicians, she decided to have her periorbital area (upper and lower eyelids) treated with Fraxel re:pair in my office. The one hour documentary entitled, "Super Botox Me" was aired across Europe in August by the BBC's channel 4. An edited version can be seen on You Tube by searching under "Persky Fraxel". In the documentary, Ms. Spicer had actually initially decided to have another Los Angeles cosmetic surgeon perform fat transfer and blepharoplasty. When I heard, plus the fact that she had recent Sculptra injections (which take about three weeks to show their full effects), I called Kate's producer to let them know that I would be remiss as a physician if I didn't let them know that putting fat graft transfers on top of newly placed Sculptra could result in permanent problems. After speaking with the other physician (who consulted with colleagues of his), Ms. Spicer decided to be treated with the non-invasive, safe and effective Fraxel re:pair eyelid treatment. Due to her time constraints of getting the documentary done, her post treatment pictures are very early after the treatment; she had not yet completely healed. Please take a look at an edited version of my participation in the documentary at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5_x3jjRZI0. If you are in Europe, the entire documentary, “Super Botox Me” can be seen by going to: www.channel4.com/video/super-botox-me/catchup.html.

You will soon be hearing of the results of Fraxel re:pair laser from patients who have had the treatment, as well as from the media. I have now treated about 40 patients, 39 have had phenomenal results. One patient did not get the tightening of skin that we had hoped for, nor the overall improvement desired. People are different and we all have slightly different skin health, and we all recover and heal uniquely. My patients and I have found that there is an overall younger appearance of 5 to 10 years. Patients say that they are hearing, "You look rested and healthy". We are seeing tightening of the forehead with a slight elevation of the eyebrows. The affect on the upper and lower eyelids is remarkable making the eyes look younger, in the majority of cases the results are nearly as good as or better than actual eyelid surgery. The most consistent finding is increased fullness and lifting of the cheeks and midface area. This reverses the process of volume loss and sagging that we unfortunately see as the aging process travels through our late 30's, 40's and in those lucky individuals, 50's. The treatment does not get rid of "jowls", but helps a bit. In patients with lax neck skin there is marked improvement. The treatment is not a face or neck lift, and does not replace those surgeries. Overall tone, texture, and color of the skin are very nicely improved. Pore size is improved as well. The results on brown pigmentation have been spectacular, as have the results on acne scarring (both color and evenness of the skin surface). I look forward to continued improvement in patients treated with fraxel repair for up to 6 months after their treatment as there is continued new production of collagen. My only caveat that Fraxel re:pair laser is an extremely powerful laser technology so please choose your physician most carefully. Be well.