Long gone is the view that cosmetic procedures are reserved for the rich and famous. Your son’s teacher, your hair stylist, your neighbor, your friends are scheduling procedures that make them look rested and refreshed, thinner, more shapely, more youthful. Today, transformations are within everyone’s reach.
More people are “investing in themselves,” thanks to medical advancements and improved technology, giving consumers more options than ever before.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), in 2014 there were 15.6 million cosmetic procedures performed in the U.S.—both minimally invasive and surgical procedures—an increase of 3 percent since 2013. The top five minimally invasive procedures were Botox, soft tissue fillers, chemical peels, laser hair removal, and microdermabrasion. The top five surgical procedures were breast augmentation, nose reshaping, liposuction, eyelid surgery, and facelifts.
BODY SCULPTING
Liposuction—a highly effective and safe treatment—has long been the “gold standard” for removing unwanted fat from trouble spots like thighs, love handles, or the midsection. In recent years, though, “non-invasive, non-surgical technologies have started to approach—or even excel beyond—the outcomes we see with liposuction,” says Dr. Neil A. Shah, FAAD, of St. Anthony-based Clarus Dermatology.
One of these non-surgical options, UltraShape, uses focused, pulsed ultrasound waves to break up fat collections stubbornly resistant to diet and exercise (the subcutaneous fat layer). The disrupted fat cells are then carried away by the body’s own fat-processing mechanisms.
Initially, Dr. Shah says he was skeptical that this could work, thinking it was mostly smoke and mirrors.
“However, the basic science data and clincal outcomes are unlike anything I have ever seen,” he comments. “We have patients losing 2 to 3 inches of waist circumference after a single painless, one-hour, zero-downtime, nonsurgical treatment.”
Combined with the skin tightening effects of Velashape III, “we can tighten areas of loose skin, like what is seen post-pregnancy on the abdomen, and improve the appearance of cellulite with zero down-time and only a few office visits.” Currently, he says, Clarus Dermatology is the only clinic in the region using these combined treatments.
clarusdermatology.com • 612-213-2370
Photo courtesy of Fotolia
VISION PROCEDURES
When it comes to protecting or improving your vision, it’s absolutely critical to select experienced ophthalmologists who genuinely care about their patients and are skilled perfectionists when it comes to life-changing vision procedures and treatments.
For more than 25 years, patients have trusted Minnesota Eye Consultants with safeguarding their sense of vision. Their team of highly trained sub-specialty surgeons and doctors of optometry define, develop, and pursue the best possible technologies, practices, and services to respond to their patients’ needs.
One example of Minnesota Eye Consultants’ commitment to the most advanced technology available is the new corneal inlay treatment for presbyopia. Presbyopia, a part of the normal aging process, reduces the ability of the eye to focus on near objects—it’s not a disease and it can’t be prevented. The corneal inlay treatment is an eye procedure that restores near vision and reduces the constant frustrations of reading glasses by providing a natural range of vision, from near to far. It also offers long-term performance to help individuals continue to enjoy clear vision over time.
Areas of expertise at Minnesota Eye Consultants range from cataract surgery and premium lens implants to treatment of corneal disease and glaucoma to oculofacial and aesthetic services to LASIK – laser vision correction and other total eye care or specialty offerings. (Minnesota Eye Consultants researchers were part of the team that gained FDA approval for LASIK, a true medical breakthrough in modern history, and continue to train surgeons in LASIK technology.) Minnesota Eye Consultants is the preferred ophthalmology group for the Minnesota Twins, and their surgeons are the preferred ophthalmologists of the Minnesota Vikings.
mneye.com • 952-888-5800/1-800-Eye-To-Eye (393-8639) • Blaine, Bloomington, Maplewood, Minneapolis, and Minnetonka locations
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SKIN CARE
Fine lines. Wrinkles. Age spots. Redness. As we get older, the regenerative properties in our skin changes: the dermal layer thins, we produce less collagen, and the elastin fibers that provide elasticity wear out. A board-certified dermatologist, such as Dr. Shah of Clarus Dermatology, can help patients look and feel better about the skin they’re in.
One of the most popular procedures at his clinic, for men and women, is a skin resurfacing technique. The procedure combines light and radiofrequency, and the results are excellent, he says. “On average we see a 75 percent reduction in red blood vessels and brown age-related spots on the face after a single treatment,” he explains. “Patients usually recover from mild swelling with this procedure over a weekend. All of our patients who have had this procedure have been very satisfied.”
The goal with cosmetic procedures, he says, is not to “make a 50-year-old look 25, but to wipe away a decade of sun damage and age-related changes … for a natural, fresh appearance.
SMILE MAKEOVERS
Whether you realize it or not, your first impression of people is often based on their smile. A bright, confident smile is not only considered an attractive feature, but has the power to improve a person’s overall self-esteem. When you’re not self-conscious and worried about covering your mouth and teeth, you smile more. When you smile more, you feel better.
Dr. George Rizkalla is a general and cosmetic dentist at Comfort Dental in New Hope. As a cosmetic dentist, he and his team can correct even severely chipped, broken, cracked, and discolored teeth with the latest advances in restorative dentistry, replace missing teeth (often resulting in better gum health and bite alignment), and whiten teeth.
“A great smile, enhanced by cosmetic dentistry, can take decades off your appearance,” he says. “It allows your true personality to shine through.”
The Comfort Dental team takes several pre-treatment measures to ensure everyone understands the goals and needs of the patient, including wax models of the proposed smile makeover. “This way, the patient can see the shape, alignment, and color of the teeth [in advance of the actual procedure],” says Dr. Rizkalla.
Most people wait to have cosmetic dentistry work done, then regret putting it off once they see how beautiful the results are. “Sometimes, just arranging a no-cost consultation can set you in the right direction,” he comments. “Ask questions, and know that there are many options available to you, including sedation dentistry to make the whole process efficient and comfortable.”
comfortdentalmn.com • 763-746-9033
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