One of the more popular procedures gaining attention lately is the Non-Surgical Nose Job also known as a Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty or "Instant Nose Job". The Non-Surgical Nose Job is a newer alternative to traditional Rhinoplasty for improving the shape of the nose without the need for invasive surgery. Patients looking to get rid of bumps or bulges of the nose or otherwise address minor nasal imbalances or symmetry may be surprised to find that they are excellent candidates for a None Surgical Nose Job.

The Non-Surgical Nose Job involves the use of injectables such as BOTOX Cosmetic and Restylane (or other dermal fillers your surgeon may offer) to shape and contour the nose. These injectables are the same ones used to reduce the appearance of crow's feet and to fill in or address facial wrinkles. By using injectable fillers and BOTOX Cosmetic to contour the nose, a surgeon can provide a patient with a non-surgical, non-invasive and fast procedure that offers both quick, and satisfying results.

The procedure works by evening out the contours of the nose, effectively creating smoother lines, balanced symmetry, better proportion and an overall improvement in appearance. One of the benefits of using injectable fillers is that the surgeon can make very fine, precise adjustments to the nose - something that can't be done with traditional surgery. Patients who are looking to reduce the size of their nose or otherwise address major changes in the appearance of their nose will still need to consider surgical Rhinoplasty.

The procedure can take as little as 15 minutes and recovery requires little or no healing time. Since the procedure is non-surgical and non-invasive, this Nose Job avoids the side effects, risks and complications associated with surgical Rhinoplasty such as bleeding, long-term swelling and bruising, and it will not affect nasal breathing. Best of all, the results are immediate and relatively long lasting.

Like all injectable fillers, the results will not be permanent and there will be need for touch-ups or additional injectable treatments to maintain the appearance. On the positive side, the cost is significantly less than that of surgery and the non-surgical nature of the procedure means that if a patient is not totally satisfied with the results, there will be no need for a revision surgery.

For more information on the Non-Surgical Nose Job, you should consult with a plastic surgeon or cosmetic doctor in your area. We can help get you started.

You can be Sun-Smart and still be Sun-Damaged.

A recent online survey conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology polled more than 7,000 adults on 26 U.S. cities to test their knowledge, atttitude and behaviors towards sun protection and detecting skin cancer. The survery revealed that despite being knowledgable about sun protection and concerned about the effects of sun damage on the skin, the actions of those polled did not always reflect their level of  concern. For example: 70% of those polled said that they do not apply sunscreen on an average day. You can read more about the AAD and their "Suntelligence" survery here.

Regardless of where you live, the effects of UV exposure (sun damage) over time can contribute to your skin looking older and less youthful or vibrant. Everyone should take the proper precautions against sun damage including the use of sunscreen, and a proper skin care regimen.

If you live in any of the survery's 26 cities and you're looking for a Cosmetic Dermatologist, Plastic Surgeon or Cosmetic Surgeon to help refresh, rejuvenate or treat your skin, here's the top lists to our providers in the most Sun-Smart cities and beyond to help get you started.

If you're city isn't mentioned here and you'd like to find a cosmetic specialist to treat sun damaged skin, you can always use our search tool to find a dermatologist, plastic surgeon or cosmetic specialist in your city.

Patients looking for fuller, shapelier lips or a softer pout are generally good candidates for Lip Augmentation, as are women with wrinkles around their lip or thinning, aged lips who are looking for a more youthful appearance. When it comes to Lip Augmentation, there are several options to choose from. Each option has different advantages, disadvatages, and results. If you're considering Lip Augmentation, you should schedule a full evaluation and consultation with a qualified Lip Augmentation specialist to see if you are a good candidate for the procedure. As always, you should discuss your medical history and your desired lip augmentation results.

Types of Lip Augmentation

Lip Augmentation Fillers

Fillers such as Juvederm®, Restylane®, Artecoll, Radiance, Collagen, and Fat offer a simple option with a lower risk of side effects, complications or sensitivity. Fillers are not a permanent solution and each filler comes with its own level of effectiveness and length of time the results will last.

For example, Restylane® results typically lasts up to six months. When the results fade, Restylane® treatments are repeated to maintain the results.

A Lip Augmentation using injectable fillers takes only a few minutes to perform and requires little more than a topic anesthetic at the injection site. Side effects common to many injectables include minor lumps, swelling, redness, bruising, itching, and tenderness. These effects usually disappear within 1-2 days and scarring is extremely rare.

Lip Augmentation Implants

Lip Augmentation using implants is a common and fairly simple procedure that offers more permanent results. Lip implants are implanted into the lips through small incisions behind the lip or at the corners of the mouth. Lip Augmentation using implants often requires local anesthesia and takes 1-2 hours to perform. Lip Augmentation implants include:

GORE-TEX® lip implants are made from medical-grade ePTFE, which has been used in surgeries for many years. This material is similar to the same material used in tents and raincoats. GORE-TEX® lip implants have micropores through which natural lip tissue grows, effectively making the implants a part of the lip structure. These lip implants sometimes feel slightly rigid, which can take some getting used to.

SoftForm lip implants are also made from ePTFE. SoftForm lip implants have a tubular shape to lessen the chance of implant migration. This hollow implant is designed to promote tissue ingrowth into the central lumen of the implant to provide stability. Ultrasoft lip implants are the next generation of SoftForm lip implant and is reported to be much softer than its predecessor.

AlloDerm® is a lip implant made from human tissue. Made from donated human skin, the natural human tissue in an AlloDerm® lip implant practically eliminates the chance of an allergic reaction. AlloDerm® lip implants, like all human tissue-based products is strictly regulated and controlled by the FDA for patient safety.

The Perma Facial Implant™ is made of solid silicone that is soft, smooth, and contoured to match the natural contour and curves of the lip. The Perma Facial Implant™ cannot rupture or deflate and can be safely removed at any time. One of the main advantages of this implant is that it is soft and pliable. Many patients find that this implant does not restrict natural lip motion.

Lip Augmentation Fat Transfer

Lip Augmentation using Fat Transfer improves the volume of the lips by using fat liposuctioned from another area of the patient's own body. The fat is then carefully prepared for injection into the lips. The main advantage to a Lip Augmentation Fat Transfer is that fat harvested from the patient's own body is unlikely to be rejected. The result is more natural-looking and the lips are usually more supple than any other Lip Augmentation technique.

Lip Augmentation can pose side effects like any other procedure, but significant complications are considered very rare.

To learn more about Lip Augmentation and to see whether Lip Augmentation is right for you, you should consult with a qualified plastic surgeon or Lip Augmentation specialist in your area.

Patients considering Liposuction may be looking at the procedure as a solution removing unwanted cellulite.While Liposuction is great for body contouring and removing stubborn fat deposits in problem areas, it is not an effective treatment for the rippled and dimpled appearance of the skin that's caused by cellulite.

Why not? It's just fat right?

No, cellulite is superficial fat. That means it's located in the superficial layer of the skin. Since Liposuction removes fat in the deep layers of the skin, it doesn't reach that superficial layer of fat to treat it. Liposuction can sometimes help diminish the appearance of cellulite but it cannot eliminate it. In fact, Liposuction can make the appearance of cellulite look worse in some cases.

Remember Liposuction involves the use of a narrow wand like tool called a Cannula to suction out fat that's been firmed and loosed by tumescent fluids or liquefied by laser energy. As the Liposuction treatment moves through the deep layers of fat, the skin above could become more lax. Making that skin more lax over an area affected by cellulite can sometimes make cellulite more visible or noticable than before.

If you're considering liposuction and are concerned about cellulite, you should consult with your plastic surgeon or doctor. During your consultation, discuss the fact that you also want to get rid of unwanted cellulite. Your surgeon may be able to offer cellulite specific treatments in addition to Liposuction and body contouring such as Velosmooth® or Endermology®.

You can start looking for a Liposuction doctor in your area by clicking here!

In our previous installment of Breast Implants 101, we discussed breast implant fillers. We discussed the differences and weighed the pros and cons of saline- and silicone-filled breast implants. The appearance, shape and size of the breasts can be significantly improved with a Breast Augmentation. The final result of your procedure not only depends on the skill and expertise of your board-certified plastic surgeon, but also on which implants you choose and how they're implanted. Your plastic surgeon will discuss all of the options, benefits and risks associated with Breast Augmentation surgery.

Today, we'll be discussing size and volume.

Choosing the desired size of your breasts after surgery can be the most exciting and most difficult decision to make. It's a very personal decision that's influenced by your unique anatomy as well as your goals. A breast size that works for one woman, may not work for another. And bigger may or may not always be better. Choosing the right sized implant is one of the most important discussions you can have between you and your surgeon.

Tummy Tucks (Abdominoplasty) and Liposuction remain two of the most popular surgical cosmetic procedures according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons' 2009 list of the Top Five Plastic Surgery Procedures, but you don't need a list to know that a lot of people want to firm up and contour their mid-section. Excessive weight gain or weight loss, aging, pregnancy, prior surgeries, and other factors can contribute to a mid-section with some excess skin and accumulated fat that diet and exercise just won't take away.

When you call a plastic surgeon for a consultation, you'll probably be asked “which procedure are you interested in?” Knowing which procedure to consider can be tricky. It's sometimes common for one to squeeze a roll of excess flab and say "I need a Tummy Tuck" - but what if all they need is a little liposuction? This quick summary of the most common body procedures may help answer the question:

"I'm not happy with my abdominal area, what do I need?"

A Tummy Tuck or Abdominoplasty is used to surgically tighten the abdominal muscles and to remove sagging, loose skin and excess fat. "Tummy Tuck Surgery" requires a long incision from hip to hip that curves around the lower abdomen and an incision around the belly button. Abdominoplasty is a major procedure with a considerable recovery time, is often performed under general anesthesia and can take anywhere from two to five hours to perform. The average price for a "Tummy Tuck" can cost $6000 - $8000. For patients with specific goals or needs, a Tummy Tuck may be combined with liposuction or other body-lift procedures.

The "Mini Tummy Tuck" is less invasive procedure for those with a small roll of loose skin and some abdominal muscle bulge. The "Mini Tummy Tuck" or Partial Abdominoplasty is localized to the lower abdomen and involves less muscle repair and skin removal. This requires a considerably smaller incision and normally does not require an incision around the belly button. During a Mini Tummy Tuck, the abdominal muscles are surgically tightened and excess skin is removed, but is done on a smaller scale while leaving the belly button in place. A Partial Abdominoplasty (Mini Tummy Tuck) requires one to two hours in surgery and averages around $4000.