Ever done something you regret? Several years ago, I had a very persuasive boyfriend in Los Angeles. Breast augmentation was something that I really wanted, but going from a size 34A to a 34DD was his idea, not mine. Now that I’ve lost the boyfriend, I also want to lose these disproportionately large breasts.

Hoping you can help,

Lisa

Hi Lisa,

I think most people will agree that they’ve done things that they later regret —and good for you for recognizing that breast implant choices should be totally based on what you want, not on what someone else wants.

At Marina Plastic Surgery, we perform breast augmentation revision surgery (a “redo”) for a variety of reasons. Your desire to reduce your implant size so that it’s right for your body type is a perfect example of how breast implant revision can be beneficial.

Here’s what is involved:

• First, you’ll meet with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons to discuss your implant options. We offer more than just size choices. From the shape of your implant to the location of the incision, your surgeon will help you select the right options to achieve proportionately sized, beautifully shaped breasts.
• Performed under general anesthesia, your breast implant revision will take one to two hours. You’ll recover and then be able to go home that same day.
• We’ll provide you with detailed instructions to help you heal quickly and comfortably.

That’s it — except, of course, for shopping for new clothes to flatter your beautiful new body.

Lisa, I congratulate you on empowering yourself to make your own decisions. I hope you’ll follow up and let us know how it goes.

Hugs,

Charlie

Get the fat-freezing facts:

• No anesthesia. No needles. No incisions. Oh, and did I mention no downtime? In fact, I usually advise our patients to bring a book or an iPod®, because you can relax and listen to music or read while we treat that tummy pooch or bra bulge.
• During your procedure, the device will target the areas of fat that you and your physician have agreed to tackle. CoolSculpting uses two cooling panels, and your skin and tissue will be drawn up gently between them.
• The cooling process causes your fat cells to break down.

And, voila! You’re on your way, back to work or even a workout at the gym. During the weeks following your appointment, your body will naturally eliminate those damaged fat cells. And what you’ll notice: Those snug clothes become loose; those love handles get lost; and your tummy pooch is transformed into the flatter, firmer midsection you envisioned.

Let me know what you think of this cool new procedure. Share your thoughts in the space below.

When I look in the mirror at my face, I notice my eyebrows first – and I wince. Even though I regularly pluck them (and it’s painful!), my eyebrows are much too thick. I feel as if they make me look angry because they dominate my entire face.

Hoping you can help,

Louise

Dear Louise,

I love hearing from my readers, and I particularly love it when I can offer them a great solution to challenges like yours.

First, I hope it’s comforting to know that many women would love to have your “problem.” While it’s easy for experts to transform thick eyebrows into elegantly arched and impeccably shaped brows, it’s much more difficult to help women with sparse, thinning eyebrows.

And second, when it comes to hair removal in Los Angeles, the Stevens Institute has the solution with professional waxing treatments for silky smooth skin and beautifully sculpted eyebrows. If you associate waxing with pain, relax! Our skin care specialists excel at providing you with a comfortable experience in our spa setting. Even if you have sensitive skin, they’ll choose one of the many superb waxes we have available to give you beautiful eyebrows and silky, smooth skin around them.

I’m also excited to tell you about a great resource for finding out more about our skin care services: The Stevens Institute’s new blog site. Subscribe to it to get the inside story on how we can help you look as radiant as you deserve.

And be sure to check back with me and let me know how it went. I love feedback.

Hugs,

Charlie

This dream-come-true is called a fat transfer, and it’s getting rave reviews from our delighted patients. Want to learn more?

• Although dermal fillers will also smooth away wrinkles and fill in areas of lost volume, fat transfer can be used as a safe, natural, non-allergenic way to rejuvenate your skin.
• One of our skilled plastic surgeons will begin by using liposuction to remove excess fat from an area that you want to sculpt, such as the hips or abdomen. After the fat is removed and processed, it can be used to restore lost volume to areas such as your cheeks or hands. We can even use it to re-contour your face or define your jawline, enhancing your appearance naturally.
• Although some of the fat will be absorbed by your body, the benefits that remain will typically last for years.

I wear a 32A bra, and even though I love shopping for new clothes, the reality is that I’m always disappointed with how limited my choices are. What are my options when it comes to breast surgery? I’d be thrilled if I could wear revealing clothes with self-confidence. Ideally, I’d like to be a C cup. One of my friends told me that she heard about a new kind of implant called “gummy bears.” Do you think they might be right for me?

Thanks,

Sally

Dear Sally,

I love your honesty and enthusiasm. I’m delighted to tell you about the many options we offer at our practice in Los Angeles for breast implants. Let’s talk about two key considerations: type and size.

• Type: The type of implant you choose can make such a difference in the look and feel of your breasts after your procedure. We offer two kinds of implants: silicone gel and saline. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and your surgeon can help you decide which one is right for you. Here’s where the gummy bears come in. You’re probably familiar with gummy bear candies (yum!), but “gummy bear” also is the name associated with the very newest variety of silicone implants. The plus factor with gummy bear implants is that they’re pliable and feel amazingly similar to real breasts. We’re very excited that our surgeons are among just a few in the nation who are conducting patient trials of the gummy bear implants, which are cleared by the FDA.
• Size: I know size matters, as you pointed out in your letter. By meeting with a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in breast enhancement, you can discuss your dream of a C cup. Because factors such as your skin type and anatomy come into play, it’s important to have a highly qualified surgeon help you determine your options as far as implant size.

I want to emphasize how important it is to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in breast enhancement. That way, you can learn whether breast augmentation is right for you and discuss the best options available.

And please let me know how it goes. I love to hear from my readers.

Cheers!

Charlie

The reason for their delight: Overly large breasts can cause extreme emotional and physical pain.

What concerns me is that so many people do not realize this. They seem to think it’s OK to make thoughtless comments about women with large breasts. For example: I was standing in line at the grocery store recently when I heard one man say to another, “Hey, check out the boobs on that girl.” The two men laughed, but I didn’t think it was funny, and I doubt the undeserving woman did either.

I have a good sense of humor, but hurtful comments about someone’s appearance don’t make me laugh. Women of all ages with overly large breasts can experience many problems, such as:

• Painful grooves in their shoulder skin caused by bra straps digging into their flesh
• Limited ability to participate in activities such as jogging and aerobics
• Embarrassment and self-consciousness about their appearance
• Migraines and neck pain caused by the weight of their breasts
• Irritated, chafed skin beneath their breasts
• Unwanted attention

So here’s a reminder: Please think before you make a joke about someone’s appearance. You may be wounding them more than you know.

Some cases may need surgical body contouring, such as a tummy tuck to correct both sagging stomach skin and extensive areas of tummy fat. But if patients are concerned with targeting more specific regions, I’m thrilled to tell them about something really cool: CoolSculpting®. This new technology can literally freeze away those annoying bulges and rolls.

Here’s how it works:

• Bring a book or your iPod. You can read or listen to music during the entire procedure. Based on a process called Cryolipolysis™, CoolSculpting uses a specially designed applicator that draws up your skin and tissue containing the targeted fat deposits between two cooling panels.
• No anesthetic or pain medication is needed. The discomfort is so minimal that most patients quickly adjust to the sensation and relax. That’s where that book or iPod comes in handy.
• Fat cells freeze at a warmer temperature than surrounding tissue, so the cooling process destroys fat cells without affecting the surrounding area. After we cool the area for the carefully selected period of time, the targeted fat cells begin to break down.

After your appointment, you’re on your way, with no downtime or change to your regular routine required. During the next few weeks, your body’s natural cleansing process will gradually remove the destroyed fat cells. And here’s what’s really cool: After about a month, you’ll notice that your body looks slimmer and more sculpted. The areas that were treated – bra bulge? Muffin top? Love handles? Tummy pooch? – become less noticeable. You may even discover after a few months that your clothes seem looser.

On average, CoolSculpting reduces the fat in those targeted areas by 20 percent to 25 percent. You can hold onto your sleek new look by following a healthy diet (substituting broccoli for those donuts) and sticking to your exercise plan.

So what do you think about our new “freeze that fat” technology? Would you try it? Do you know anyone who has? Share your thoughts in the space below.

Change your frown to a smile with this news: You can say farewell to frown lines with BOTOX®. In Los Angeles, BOTOX Cosmetic has become one of the top ways to treat frown lines, crow’s feet, laugh lines and creases between the eyebrows.

Here’s how it works:

• Inside story: A few gentle, tiny injections administered by one of our highly skilled physician assistants, and that’s it! You’re done! A few days later, those frustrating frown lines and creases are smoother and less noticeable.
• Recovery: How does “no downtime” sound? That’s right! All you have to do is avoid rubbing the treated area for the first day after the injections.
• Number of treatments: Just one session is needed for a younger look that lasts for months.

What do you think? Please share your comments with me in the space below on whether you’ve used BOTOX or are considering it. I love feedback!

It may be a cliché but it’s true: A picture is worth a thousand words, and a surgeon’s photo gallery is worth checking out. Viewing different plastic surgeons’ photo galleries – sometimes called the “Before and After” section – can be a smart way to see who can achieve your goals for a more beautiful you.

Here’s what to look for when you are checking out those photos:

• Symmetry: If you’re considering breast augmentation with a lift, for example, you want breasts that have the same size, shape and position. View the surgeon’s breast enhancement photos to see if that goal was met.
• Subtle beauty: A face lift can make you look naturally younger – or it can give you that overly tight, expressionless appearance that makes it obvious that you’ve had the procedure. Check out the surgeon’s facial plastic surgery before-and-after section to evaluate that important criterion.
• Consistency: Don’t limit your viewing to just one or two photos. Make sure the surgeon has a track record of consistently natural-looking and attractive results. And by the way, if the surgeon lacks a photo gallery section or just has one or two photos per procedure, it’s an indication that this doctor may not have substantial experience or results … so it’s time to consider other plastic surgeons.
• Results that resemble what you want: Some people prefer a more dramatic change in their appearance, while others want a very subtle, barely visible improvement. Consider which you prefer, and then look for photos that match your desires.

So there you have it: a guide for your “gallery viewing.” I also recommend making sure your prospective plastic surgeon is board certified and has substantial experience with the procedure you’re considering. Also, schedule a consultation to ensure that you feel comfortable with your chosen specialist. And please let me know how it goes. I love to hear from my readers.

I seem to spend a lot of time trying different ways to remove an embarrassing mustache on my upper lip. I’ve tried tweezing and waxing, but nothing lasts for long. I have friends who say laser hair removal solved their problems. When I looked it up on the Internet, I also read about IPL. What’s the difference, and do they really work?

Thanks,

Charlene

Hi Charlene,

Great question! Hair removal treatments are among the most popular services at The Institute, which is our medspa. I know it can be so frustrating when you spend time AND money in attempts to get that smooth, hair-free look and nothing seems to last long. The good news: Both Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and laser hair removal in Los Angeles can permanently halt hair growth, ending that endless cycle of tweezing, waxing and shaving.

Here’s the scoop on the similarities, and the differences.

Similarities

IPL and laser hair removal both can provide effective and permanent solutions for removing unwanted hair. They can be customized to your individual skin type and hair color. And in contrast to waxing, tweezing or electrolysis, they involve minimal discomfort.

Both methods work in a similar way: With laser hair removal, we move the device over the area of unwanted hair, such as the upper lip in your case. The handpiece emits laser energy, which destroys the hair follicles without harming the surrounding skin or tissue. Similarly, the IPL device is moved over the targeted area. It emits high-energy pulses of light that are absorbed by hair follicles. The light energy is transformed into heat, which destroys the hair follicles without harming the surrounding skin.

Differences

IPL may be more appropriate for your needs if you have darker skin tones or certain shades of hair (particularly white or red). The reason: Although both IPL and laser hair removal use light to destroy the targeted hair follicles, the IPL light pulses are usually viewed as safer for darker skin and certain hair tones.

In addition, IPL sometimes is less expensive, because it is faster. However, IPL may require more sessions than laser hair removal, and it sometimes causes more discomfort.

So, bottom line: They’re BOTH effective. Hurray! And how do you know which is right for you? I suggest consulting a specialist who can evaluate your skin tone, hair color and goals, then advise you on which of these solutions is right for you. Remember: Smooth, hairless skin awaits.

Hugs,

Charlie