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In Southern California, especially here in Beverly Hills it is not uncommon for women in their 20s to have occasion to use the services of a plastic surgeon. If you are a celebrity, it is almost certain to have been part of the process. Recently Lindsay Lohan has been in the news for more than her criminal antics. Many speculate that she has had an overabundance of plastic surgery. The promos leading up to her Saturday Night Live appearance clearly showed a modified Lindsay Lohan. She also appeared on the Today show with Matt Lauer sporting her new face. Media outlets which included publications such as US weekly, the Daily Mail, and The Orange County Register were quick to chime in and comment on Lindsay’s obvious different facial appearance. Some plastic surgeons commented and speculated as to which procedures they believe she may have had done. The overall consensus was that whatever she had done it was too much of it. Dr. Kim points out that it is important to remember that what we see from celebrities is more often than not the exception. Most 25-year-olds are not overindulging in injectables or other facial cosmetic procedures. It is not uncommon for women in that age group to have breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty and or use a limited amount of injectables. Dr. Kim is careful to help patients maintain a youthful and natural appearance. This is not only his preference, but it is the preference of the average patient. Most would agree without any personal knowledge of Lindsay Lohan, she is far from average.

The idea of traveling abroad until now was mostly for pleasure. Thanks to the Internet and global access, consumers are now comfortable with traveling most anywhere without much forethought. This thinking is what has allowed India to become a medical tourism attraction.  According to a recent industry article, in accompaniment with budget costs, India boasts world class medical facilities and English speaking doctors according to the Vancouver Sun. They announced that medical tourism is becoming more customary in India specifically the cosmetic surgery component which business experts say is growing between 20 and 30 percent annually. It is anticipated that the number of medical tourists in India is expected to reach one million this year. While there are no statistics accessible concerning problems arising from plastic surgeries performed abroad, complications such as serious infections and even casualties are not unheard of according to The Huffington Post. As seen with the exorbitant case of rupture in the French PIP breast implants, what is regulated and standard in other countries is not all the time passable in the US, and for competent reason. It is affirmed that over 300,000 women have had PIP implants around the world and many are coming forward to be subjected to them replaced or explanted. A recent survey in the medical publication Aesthetic Surgery Journal established that over 80% of US plastic surgeons polled have dealt with complications from surgery performed abroad. The predominance of patients had breast augmentation and body contouring procedures and most needed many operations and hospitalization due to their complications. The number one complication was infection, followed by dehiscence or rupture, improper contours, and hematoma. Dr. Kim cautions patients that when leaving the country they must consider not only the surgery, but also the fact that follow-up care will be limited at best. Even in the best case scenario complications can arise from surgery. Patients should be leery of what they consider to be a bargain. Patients who have needed additional care within the United States after having plastic surgery abroad typically triple their cost based on what the procedure would have cost in the US initially. Patients who are considering breast augmentation abroad not only need to be clear about the type of implants and the manufacturer ,but also concerning the warranties and if in fact they transfer to the US.  Body contouring procedures including abdominoplasty and liposuction are huge gamble, as the travel back to the US is several hours by plane, and after these procedures the risk for blood clots are increased. The risks in most cases outweigh the illusion of financial benefit.

Actress Cate Blanchett has maintained for a long time that she is against plastic surgery.  She has said on numerous occasions that the thought of it scares her. She says that she has “pity” for young women who have it. She’s quoted in Fashion etc.: ““There’s been a decade or probably more of people doing interventions on their faces and their bodies, and now people are seeing that [in the] long term, it’s not so great,” she said. “I’m not sitting on a soapbox telling women what they should and shouldn’t do. I just know what works for me. I’d be too frightened about what it means long-term. Looking at women in their 20s doing this stuff, in the end all you see is the work. It doesn’t fill me with admiration; it fills me with pity.” There have been reports in the news lately concerning young women in their 20s who believe that Botox injections will somehow prevent them from getting wrinkles. Most medical experts including Allergan the makers of Botox say that there is no evidence that Botox is a preventative measure for wrinkles. Celebrities who choose not to have plastic surgery (or at least talk about it) seem to be rare and in a small way earn publicity by doing so. Cate Blanchett drew her line in the sand a long time ago against plastic surgery procedures. While that seems to have served her well, it is hard to understand why she has pity on those who choose plastic surgery. Dr. Kim reminds patients that celebrity endorsements or warnings concerning plastic surgery should always be taken with a grain of salt. It is their job to be in the spotlight and that is always the main purpose for everything they say and do. The majority of consumers embrace the idea of plastic surgery as a way to help fight the appearance of aging. The most popular surgical procedures include facelift, blepharoplasty, and brow lift. Dr. Kim is careful to help patients maintain their most natural appearance while improving the signs of facial aging by an average of 10 years. In most circles that is nothing to pity.

Cosmetic surgery has enjoyed a roaring surge back into the spotlight, According to a recent Los Angeles Times article there has been a surge in lifts, upper arm lifts ,lower body lifts, butt lifts, breast lifts, and some of these procedures have experienced development of close to 600 percent in the secondary decade according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons which recently released its 2011 statistics. A rise in bariatric surgeries which reduce the size of an obese person’s stomach could be driving many people who have lost significant weight to seek lifts to get rid of loose hanging skin according to society President Dr Malcolm Roth, who also is the chief of the division of plastic surgery at Albany Medical Center in New York. The rise in lifts contrasts with dips in other more customary cosmetic surgery procedures including liposuction which dropped along with the economy though numbers suggest a rebound said Roth. Cosmetic surgeries were up 5% percent over 2010. Minimally obtrusive surgeries such as Botox, and fillers have been recording increased numbers all through the decade, perhaps in part because of the dashed economy  says Roth  because they’re more affordable and don t necessitate as much time off from work. Technological advances in the interim have boosted the success and influence in laser treatments. In Southern California cosmetic surgery procedures that include most every type of lift have always been top priority in most practices. Dr. Kim advises patients that lifting procedures including facelift and breast lift are not only for patients who have lost significant amounts of weight. Often times these lifting procedures are necessary primarily because of the aging process. Even patients who are good about diet and exercise, and are healthy will lose fat beneath the skin surface as part of the aging process. For this reason, fat transfer and dermal fillers are an excellent source for facial rejuvenation. Dr. Kim reminds patients that the key to natural looking facial rejuvenation is starting at the beginning of noticeable aging.

In our industry, especially in Beverly Hills, our days are filled with critiques by media experts concerning celebrities and their appearance. The latest appears to be Julianne Moore who was on the red carpet promoting the premiere of the HBO special “The Game”. In the production Julianne Moore plays Sarah Palin. The buzz around the media included a multitude of complements for her youthful appearance. At 51 years of age her skin appeared flawless and she did not have the telltale signs many celebrities have with plumped lips and unnaturally tight faces. So, whats the problem? Well, now  they write about whether or not we think this is natural; or great plastic surgery. A recent blog post in the Orange County Register, posed the question to a group of plastic surgeons. Of course, they were speculating based on photos but nevertheless they all weighed in. Many plastic surgeons say the best compliment they can have besides a referral is a patient who returns, and tells them that no one knows that they had the procedure performed. This is especially the case for facial rejuvenation procedures. Dr. Kim is careful to explain to patients that the extent of their surgery is partially based on their own desires. For example, some patients may choose to have a blepharoplasty and only address the concerns of the eye area even though they have a drooping brow and would benefit much more from a brow lift combined with a blepharoplasty. For this reason, it is unfair to judge the plastic surgery results of a celebrity, or any other person who we have not had complete knowledge of their recommendation from the plastic surgeon, as well as the choice that they made based on that recommendation. Dr. Kim finds that most of his patients follow his recommendation because of his extensive before-and-after photo gallery, as well as his artistic ability, is demonstrated not only in the photo gallery but also within his personal drawings and sketches. While it is fun to watch celebrities we must always remember especially when it comes to plastic surgery that they exist for our entertainment not our research.

According to the Washington Post there may be a danger lurking with popular gel nails. Nail salons and beauty magazines are buzzing about gel manicures. Customers love them considering they dry essentially instantly, and shine like patent leather plus don’t chip for two weeks. Salons get to charge more than double the price of a customary manicure, and then have repeat commerce when the customer returns to have the polish removed. “Artificial UV light does magnify your exposure for developing skin cancer and for early aging of the skin” says Anna M Bender a dermatologist at Johns Hopkins University. So people could use a sunscreen to try to block the UV from their bordering skin. People should reach for a sunblock that contains zinc or titanium oxide rather than a typical sunscreen.  Those ingredients shield the skin from UVA rays, the kind emitted by nail lamps, albeit many sunscreens protect only against UVB light. “Even broad spectrum lotions may not overshadow the full UVA spectrum” Bender says. Halting a manicure to slap on sunblock would be exceptionally unusual behavior according to Lonnie Nguyen owner of Cleveland Park Day Spa and Toe Tally Nails in the District.  Not one of her clients at either business has ever stopped the procedure to apply sunblock for UV protection. In fact the only attention her customers have shown about gel manicures is the unbelief that they will not smudge. Skin care includes proper care of the hands. Many say that you can tell the age of a woman by looking at her hands. Dr. Kim reminds his patients that the same attention given to premature facial aging should extend to a womans hands. The overwhelming majority of patients pay attention to their nails by having regular manicures some of which include gel manicures. Patients should also be mindful of utilizing the same medical grade skin care treatment they use on their face on their hands. Dr. Kim may recommend light laser treatments to help maintain youthful looking hands. Patients who decide to have a facelift should automatically include antiaging products and procedures for their hands. Most would agree that it can be quite shocking when the face looks youthful and the hands look old. Dr. Kim is committed to recommending the best overall treatments for his patients.

According to the Orange County Register, the Food and Drug Administration has approved a new silicone-gel breast implant, making Sientra of Santa Barbara the 3rd company in the nation to market the products. The company says it plans to offer implants in different shapes in addition to the round implants now sold by Irvine-based Allergan and Johnson & Johnson’s Mentor unit, also based in Santa Barbara. Silicone breast implants have been controversial for several years, with critical experts concerned about devices dispensing silicone through leaks or rupturing. Silicone implants were pulled from the market in 1992 but scientists later reported that they ruled out most potential health risks and silicone came back on the market in 2006. Since then manufacturers have been required to track women who get the implants. And last year, the director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health warned that recurrent visits and MRI scans are important for all women who receive breast implants. The FDA also said the majority of women who get the implants will have to have breast implant exchange or undergo additional surgery in 8 to 10 years. “Data on these [Sientra] and other approved silicone gel-filled breast implants continue to demonstrate a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness,” William Maisel, M.D., M.P.H., deputy director for science in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, said in a news release today.  He added, ”It’s important to remember that breast implants are not lifetime devices. Women should fully understand risks associated with breast implants before considering augmentation or reconstruction surgery, and recognize that long-term monitoring is essential.” Dr. Kim like most plastic surgeons welcomes the idea of another alternative for FDA approved silicone cohesive gel implants. Breast augmentation patients including those who need a combined breast lift theoretically will be served better with more options. This could translate into better savings as competition should drive the cost of the breast implants down. Dr. Kim advises patient to be diligent concerning their choices of plastic surgeons to perform the breast augmentation procedure. Although it is a popular procedure it is not”easy”. The overall long-term results are heavily dependent upon the plastic surgeon, his expertise, natural and acquired skills. Dr. Kim provides all of his patients an extensive photo gallery displaying his impressive results.

According to the Orange County Register, 90’s rapper and entertainment celebrity Lil Kim is the latest source of a shock for celebrity watchers. The overall consensus of those writing about Lil Kim and her dramatically different look is that she has a bad case of plastic surgery gone too far. Some speculate as to whether she has body dysmorphic disorder — making her imagine or exaggerate any natural flaws. Does she see herself differently than how others see her? Even a novice plastic surgery guru would take one look at Lil Kim and know that she does not have a natural appearance. It is obvious through the years that she has used some sort of skin lightening product as are skin appears lighter and not necessarily natural. Her rhinoplasty and breast augmentation is rather noticeable. The use of injectables seems apparent as well. It would be a fair statement to say that most women do not desire to have this look. It would also be an accurate statement to say that most women of color, would not desire her look.  Dr. Kim is proud to have his practice in Beverly Hills which lends itself to a very diverse patient base. Patients are encouraged to embrace beauty without losing what many consider to be there ethnic attributes. For example, some African-American women who consult with Dr. Kim for procedures like rhinoplasty or liposuction choose him because of his artistic ability as well as his philosophy of maintaining ethnic beauty. This philosophy also serves the Asian population very well. Asian patients often choose Dr. Kim for their blepharoplasty which helps to reduce the double crease in the eyelid and allow for an eyelid that appears more open and wide. Patients must remember, before they fear outcomes like Lil Kim or Michael Jackson, that these celebrities did not achieve the look with one surgery. In most cases, with celebrities and those in the public eye, its a case of not knowing when enough is enough.

According to the Orange County Register  another celebrity is speaking out against her lip injections which she claims ruined her look. French actress Emmanuelle Beart, who was seen in Mission Impossible, is  newsworthy this week because she is talking about her botched lip enhancement at age 27 and warning women (out of the kindness of her heart) against plastic surgery. Medical experts believe her experience likely reflects the massive problems with silicone injections given in years ago, which is much different than  modern substances that work better and  stay in the lips for a shorter amount of time. The trend toward “trout pout or duck lips may be over (at least some hope). Dr. Kim cautions patients that when considering lip augmentation whether using fillers like  Juvederm,  Restylane, or one of the newer lip implants it is important not to overdo the look of the lips. It is not advisable for patients who have loose and lax skin on their face to consider plumping their lips instead of tightening the wrinkles on their face. In most cases this makes the lips stand out in an unattractive way, especially against skin on the face that is wrinkles and lax. This also applies to patients who have older looking eyes, including droopy eyelids and bags beneath the eyes. Overly plumped lips do not look attractive against this background. The bottom line is the patient should not isolate one specific feature on their face when considering facial rejuvenation. While for some patients it may not be cost-effective to address all of the areas at once; it does make sense to have a treatment plan and then pick the procedures that will look the best long-term over time.

According to The Los Angeles Times there is a new enemy to watch out for in the fight against breast cancer.  New research provides some facts that environmental chemicals that are similar to estrogens effects may add to women’s risk of certain cancers. In a conclusion that strengthens the association between environmental pollutants and rising rates of breast cancer, new research finds that women who have diets that contain elevated levels of cadmium are at higher risk of having a breast cancer diagnosis than those who consume less of the industrial chemical in their food. Cadmium, a heavy metal which has been identified  as a carcinogen for some time now, seeps into crops from fertilizers and when precipitation or sewage sludge drop it onto farmland. Whole grains, potatoes, other vegetables and shellfish are the main dietary sources of cadmium, which can also become airborne as a pollutant if fossil fuels are burned, and is commonly inhaled as well as ingested. The new study published by the American Assn. for Cancer Research and released Thursday, discovered that among 55,987 women who have been through menopause, the one-third with the highest cadmium intakes were 21% more likely to get breast cancer than the one-third with the lowest intakes. Among obese women, the study discovered no increase in breast cancer rates with higher cadmium exposures. It can be very confusing and discouraging trying to keep up with new information concerning the best ways to avoid breast cancer. Dr. Kim informs his breast surgery patients including those who have had breast augmentation, breast reduction, or breast lift that early detection for breast cancer still remains one of the best ways to increase the chance of survival after a diagnosis. Patients are advised to continue the American Cancer Societys recommendation for early detection. This includes monthly breast self-exams as well as annual mammograms at age 40 and beyond. Patients who have a strong family history of breast cancer are encouraged to maintain a close relationship with their primary care physician who may request additional screenings. It is important that women focus on breast care for a lifetime.