It would be best if you did your research before getting any surgery, especially one that impacts the appearance of your face. A rhinoplasty or nose job is a common surgery, but you should do your research to ensure you are prepared for the surgery.

Why is rhinoplasty surgery so popular?

In the United States, over 200,000 rhinoplasties were done in 2018. This surgery is the third most popular cosmetic surgery in the United States. Despite its popularity, rhinoplasty is one of the most complicated surgeries within the field of Plastic Surgery. Every person has a different facial structure and tissues, which makes it challenging to create the same nose in multiple patients. Rhinoplasty is not always done for solely cosmetic reasons, and it can also be done to improve nasal function. For many, the surgery has improved their breathing and provided them with the facial aesthetic they are looking for. Many people consider having a rhinoplasty due to prior injury to their nose, breathing problems, or to change the appearance of their nose. These are all very valid reasons to decide to have a rhinoplasty. [1]

What are the reasons people get rhinoplasty?

There are two main reasons that people have an operation on their nose. The first is for cosmetic reasons. Many people dislike their nose shape. Most people notice the bridge of their nose or the tip. Sometimes there is a bump that patients want removed. Wideness, roundness, or lack of definition are other reasons people seek out rhinoplasty. 

A medical reason is another common motive for having an operation on their nose. An injury that broke or bent the nose may need correction through a rhinoplasty for the nose to look like it did originally. Sometimes there are blockages in the nasal airway that limit breathing, and this can be fixed surgically. 

The most common nose operations are to alter a bump on the nose, reshape the tip of the nose, alter the length, change the width of the nose or nostrils, or to restructure the nose after an injury. [2]

What happens during recovery?

It takes a few months to see the full effect of the surgery. It takes six months for the swelling to go down fully. After a week, stitches will be removed, and the splint will come off. For three weeks, the patient will have bruises and redness. After six weeks, the patient can exercise. Some things recommended during recovery are: elevating your head, avoiding hot baths, sneezing with your mouth open, avoiding smoky or dusty places, and not blowing your nose. [3]

Recovery from rhinoplasty is not very difficult, and side effects are pretty minimal. Your doctor will ensure you are well-prepared and educated on the recovery process. The discomfort from the surgery shouldn’t last very long. It will take some patience to wait six months for the full results, but it will be worth it in the end.

Sources:

Trigger finger impacts many people and can hurt many people’s quality of life. Any condition that affects hand mobility can cause many other issues in people’s daily lives. This condition should be treated early so that it does not worsen. 

What is trigger finger?

Trigger finger is a condition that affects the hands. This condition makes it difficult to bend the finger or thumb that is affected. This occurs because one or more of the tendons in the hand is swollen or irritated. 

Some symptoms of trigger finger include pain in the finger or thumb that is affected. Stiffness or a clicking sensation may occur when the thumb or finger moves. Usually, this condition is the most painful in the morning. If the condition worsens, you will have pain in your hand all the time, even when it is still. It is also possible for a lump to form in your palm. More severe cases of trigger finger cause the affected finger to get stuck in a bent position. [1]

About 28 people out of 100,000 are affected by trigger finger. Trigger finger has a lifetime prevalence of 2.6% in the general population. This condition is most common in adults in their 50s and 60s. People with diabetes have an increased risk, as well as those with carpal tunnel syndrome, Dupuytryen’s disease, and inflammatory arthritis. Children can also have trigger finger, but it is usually in the thumb. [2]

How is trigger finger treated?

Trigger finger can be treated a few different ways. You and your doctor will decide which treatment plan is the best for your condition.

Nonsurgical treatment is one option, this option is preferred when the condition isn’t severe and the symptoms have not been occurring for a long time. A steroid injection is usually the first option for treatment. This injection is not invasive and can improve the pain associated with trigger finger. The injection is placed into the tendon to improve pain and mobility. Splints are another nonsurgical treatment that is used to reduce inflammation in the hand.

Surgical treatment is the next step if a splint and steroid injections stop working. Surgery is also considered when the trigger finger has limited movement and for infants who have trigger thumb. The most common surgery for trigger finger is the open release of the A1 pulley. There is another surgery method called the percutaneous release of the A1 pulley and this is more popular for trigger thumb. [3]

With any condition, planning treatment can be overwhelming and scary. Luckily there are many different treatment options for trigger finger. This condition can be treated without surgery if the symptoms are debilitating. If you do decide to go the surgical route, your doctor will ensure you are provided the best care possible. Medical travel provides treatment for trigger finger and other orthopedic treatments. This may be something to look into if you have symptoms of trigger finger. Medical Travel has a team of doctors who speak English and can diagnose and treat trigger finger.

Sources:

Sagging or wrinkles around the eyes can bother many people when it occurs. Luckily there is a surgical procedure that deals directly with this issue. It is a pretty common form of plastic surgery that involves manipulating the upper and or lower eyelids.

What is the blepharoplasty procedure?

Blepharoplasty is the surgical manipulation of the upper or lower eyelids. The intention of this procedure is typically to lessen wrinkles in this area. The excess of skin on the lower or upper eyelids is called dermatochalasis. Most patients decide to get plastic surgery on their eyelids for cosmetic reasons. Sometimes this procedure is needed due to lateral hooding, which is when there is so much skin on the upper eyelid it causes visual impairment. Some patients also want this procedure to get rid of steatoblepharon, which is the protrusion of fat on the upper and lower eyelids.

The goal of this procedure for the upper eyelid is to resection skin and fat to make the skin appear tighter and to remove lateral hooding. An excessive amount of skin or fat can’t be removed from the upper lid as this would cause an extremely hollow appearance. For the lower lid, the goal is mostly the same. This procedure is more focused on fixing the sagging of the lower lid. [1]

What happens during recovery?

Most doctors recommend that you take a week to rest after eyelid surgery. It will be noticeable that you’ve had surgery for a bit longer than a week. You will most likely not be able to drive for a few days after the surgery. Some other things you may have to do during recovery include:

• Elevating your head to reduce swelling.
• Cleaning your eyelids with prescription ointment and eye drops.
• Icing your eyes.
• Wearing sunglasses when outside to protect your eyes. 
• Taking a prescribed painkiller to relieve any discomfort.
• You shouldn’t engage in any strenuous activity for a few days.
• You shouldn’t wear contact lenses or rub your eyes for a while.

The recovery from this procedure is not incredibly difficult. You will have to stick to the regime your doctor recommends to ensure you have a quick and smooth recovery. It is important to exercise care after any surgery and especially after surgery around something as delicate as your eyes. In order to ensure your eyes will be safe and to achieve the best results from this surgery, you should follow any recovery instructions your doctor recommends. [2]

The surgical technique of partial-incision double-eyelid surgery has been known to have a short postoperative recovery time. This surgery is often used to create a natural double-eyelid crease instead of focusing specifically on wrinkles. For this surgery, the scars are typically gone after three months. Plastic surgeons have come so far with these types of surgeries, and blepharoplasty can look very natural after just a few months of recovery. [3]

Are there any complications?

As with any surgery, there are a few complications to be aware of, such as:

• Lagophthalmos: this is the failure of the upper lid margin to reach the lower lid margin. This is often called lid lag. This can cause difficulty when closing your eyes.
• Ectropion: this is when the inner eyelid turns out and is exposed. Upward massage or taping can help this. Eye lubrication can ease discomfort if this occurs.
• Dry eyes: when patients are recovering, they may experience dry eyes. Lubrication helps relieve the discomfort associated with dry eyes.
• The most debilitating possible complication is a retrobulbar hematoma. This can cause severe pain and visual complaints. 

This procedure is very common, and many patients have excellent results and recoveries. It is important to be aware of the complications in case any arise. Your doctor should explain any possible complications in depth. This procedure has helped many people eliminate wrinkles and feel more confident about their appearance. If you want to change the appearance of your eyes or are concerned about sagging around the eyes, this procedure may be something to look into. [1]

Sources:

[1] Rebowe RE, Runyan C. Blepharoplasty. 2022 Jul 25. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan–. PMID: 29494003.

[2] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cosmetic-procedures/eyelid-surgery/

[3] Chen B, Ma L. Small-incision, mini-dissection, orbicularis-preservation, and orbicularis-levator aponeurosis fixation technique: A modified partial-incision double-eyelid blepharoplasty. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2022 Oct 12:S1748-6815(22)00553-8. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2022.10.010. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36428197.

Breast augmentation is an increasingly popular cosmetic surgery. Many of us have a friend who has had this surgery and it may seem like a casual procedure. While the procedure is safe and effective, there are still lots of choices to be made especially about implant types and the placement of your implants.

WHAT IS BREAST AUGMENTATION?

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure to enhance the size of the breast. Augmentations can be done with the placement of an implant or fat transfer. Using an implant is the most common method. Breast augmentation is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures. Silicone implants are a common type of implant used for breast augmentations. With implants, patients can have a visual representation of how their breasts will change in shape and size. Breast augmentations give the breasts a more full and round shape. You can be specific about the size and shape you are looking for with your surgeon. Many people who undergo this surgery wish to feel confident and more comfortable in their bodies after this surgery. [1]

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF IMPLANTS USED?

There are a few different options with implants. Silicone and saline are the most common implants, but there are some other options to consider with implants. These options are split into a few categories that include:

• The surface of the implant can be textured or smooth: Textured implants are made by creating pores of different sizes to give a more natural look. Smooth implants are made by dipping the implant into liquid silicone.

• Form-stable or fluid-form: Liquid silicone has an oily compound that is good for lubrication, this is used in fluid-form implants making them less stable. Form-stable implants retain the shape even at rest, these implants need a larger incision. 

• Implant shape being round vs anatomic. The shape of the implant is made by the gel inside of it. Gel-shell ratio is important when determining shape. An implant that will look more natural or anatomic is manufactured with a textured shell. Most patients receive round implants that may not look as natural. 

In order to choose the right implant for the patient the patient’s height, weight, and body type must be considered. Patients that are taller or with wider shoulders need larger implants. Your surgeon will give you their best recommendation on what implants will work best for your body and best achieve your aesthetic goals. [2]

DOES THE PLACEMENT OF THE IMPLANT MATTER?

The surgeon and the patient will collaborate to determine the best implant placement for the look the patient wants to achieve. The implant is typically either placed above or below the pectoralis muscle. It is common in augmentation to place the implant above the pectoralis muscle. This reduces pain in recovery and displacement of the implant. Placing the implant below the pectoralis muscle is more common in reconstruction.

There are a few different incision types as well. The transaxillary is an incision at the armpit. The inframammary is an incision just below the breast. Some doctors try a periareolar approach, which is an incision on each breast. This approach looks the best, but there are more risks with scarring and scar tissue.

Whatever you decide you should feel comfortable and safe going into the surgery. Your doctor should have your best interests in mind. It is important with plastic surgery to realize that the results may not be exactly as you imagined during the healing process. As you heal, you will start to see more and more of your desired results. [3]

Sources:

[1] Fardo D, Sequeira Campos M, Pensler JM. Breast Augmentation. 2022 Sep 26. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan–. PMID: 29489168.

[2] Coombs DM, Grover R, Prassinos A, Gurunluoglu R. Breast augmentation surgery: Clinical considerations. Cleve Clin J Med. 2019 Feb;86(2):111-122. doi: 10.3949/ccjm.86a.18017. PMID: 30742581.

[3] Schrager S, Lyon SM, Poore SO. Breast Implants: Common Questions and Answers. Am Fam Physician. 2021 Nov 1;104(5):500-508. PMID: 34783490.

As we get older we experience many changes in how our bodies look and feel. To many aging is a scary process and no one enjoys getting older. Aging is nothing to be ashamed of, but it doesn’t mean you can’t desire to slow the process. There are many tips and tricks to slow aging and make wrinkles disappear. Despite all of the suggestions you hear there is no one solution, but there are some things you can do to slow the formation of wrinkles.

How do our faces age?

Many things happen to make our faces develop wrinkles and our skin changes. Many of these changes are obvious, and some are more subtle. When you get older your forehead may grow if your hairline recedes. Your ears get longer from cartilage. Some people’s noses may droop due to weakening nasal cartilage. In our youth, fat is distributed evenly on our faces. As we get older our facial fat shifts and clumps in different places. Some parts of our faces sag as fat moves to other parts of the face. Some people have fat that sits around the chin and neck which is when jowls form. 

Wrinkles form due to a few reasons. Deep wrinkles on your forehead are from making expressions. Some wrinkles form because of facial fat moving. Other wrinkles are formed from sun damage, smoking, and natural aging. Wrinkles are not completely preventable. Many people dislike their wrinkles, and there of course are procedures available. Facial aging will happen to everyone, but slowing the process and keeping your skin healthy can be really beneficial long term. [1]

How to prevent wrinkles?

There are some ways to help prevent wrinkles from occurring that don’t include botox or surgery. A few ways to prevent wrinkles from occurring prematurely include:

• Using sunscreen of at least SPF 30 every day will protect your skin from sun damage. Sun damage ages your skin and causes wrinkles. Sunscreen and wearing hats can help minimize sun damage.
• Retinoids are great for increasing collagen that plumps your skin. Retinoid creams can be found at any pharmacy or skincare store. This cream should be used daily.
• Moisturizing every day helps to hydrate your skin. Dry skin is more prone to wrinkles.
• Drinking water and staying hydrated are also helpful for keeping your skin healthy.
• Getting your vitamins is also important. Foods with anti-inflammatory properties can help prevent wrinkles.
• Never smoke. Smoking damages your skin and causes wrinkles.

You are in control of some aspects of aging and getting wrinkles. There are simple steps that you can take to minimize the number of wrinkles you get. A healthy lifestyle can go a long way for the way your body looks and feels. [2]

What procedures minimize wrinkles?

There are many surgeries and procedures out there to erase wrinkles and make you look younger. A face-lift is a common cosmetic surgery to reverse wrinkles and sagging skin. This surgery is done by pulling back the skin on each side of the face. Excess skin is taken away and it gives the effect of having a tighter and younger-looking face. This procedure can minimize sagging cheeks, excess skin at the jaw, and wrinkles. [3]

Some other ways to minimize wrinkles besides a face-lift include:

• Injection of neuromodulators such as botox. These injections freeze muscles in your face that cause wrinkles.
• Hyaluronic acid injection is more commonly known as filler. This injection literally fills in deep wrinkles.
• Microneedling is a procedure where a few small needles create small wounds on the face. This promotes new collagen to form.
• Chemical peels are used to erase blemishes and new skin heals in place of the blemish.

There are many different procedures to try to minimize wrinkles. It is important that you trust your doctor, do your research, and look at all of the options before you decide on a procedure. No procedure will make your skin perfect, but many procedures can improve areas of your face you are insecure about. [4]

Sources:

1 https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/why-your-face-ages-and-wh…

2 https://www.healthline.com/health/skin/how-to-prevent-wrinkles#dont-smoke

3 https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/face-lift/about/pac-20394059

4 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/8411-treatments-to-redu…

A traditional facelift in many cases yields lasting results only with the addition of an eyelid lift, rhinoplasty on the nose or facial implants. A more contemporary approach that we have seen develop recently, though, is greater focus on restoring facial volume during, or in addition to having, a facelift procedure with fat transfer or later fat injections.

What happens to our faces as we age?

Growing older is a natural process that leads to tense facial muscles, skin droopiness and what about those fat pads that so nicely held up our cheeks for years? Well, they too start to flatten and redistribute in precarious ways. Even our facial bones lose mass. Darn!

It’s well known that collagen and acids within our skin keep cells hydrated and elastic but that years of laughing, sun exposure, gravity and cell aging alter the histological characteristics of that collagen and increase oxidant levels in the skin.[1][2] 

Fat volumes shift and tend to accumulate in lower sections of their pockets, which is one cause of that triangular fold at the corners of the mouth we so commonly refer to as laugh lines. We expect some areas to puff out and grow more convex while other areas seem to deflate. In older patients with obviously deflated areas of supporting fat pockets, that loss in volume causes the skin to sag without its primary structure in the cheeks to keep it full and lifted.[3]

What is the better approach to plumping up the face with fat?

Whether you opt for fat transfer during operation or fat injections at a later time, the outcome will likely be the same. The differences might be extremely minimal and, in some professional opinions, there are only two things you ought to keep in mind:

1. Will requesting fat grafts during my procedure increase the overall cost excessively?

2. How important is it to me that I undergo as few procedures as possible, thereby reducing my overall recovery time and time I may need to take off work?

Some professionals say that adding this procedure into a facelift would cause the price of the surgery to skyrocket, while others view it moderately as a benefit because you can condense multiple procedures into a one-time, cost-effective treatment.[4]

What should I expect?

Facelift surgeons make an incision into your hairline and around the tragus downwards to the bottom earlobe and sometimes extend into the neckline. If you and your surgeon agreed to introduce fat grafting into the procedure, here are some common things to expect:

• Volume loss is most obvious in the upper cheek and lower orbital rim (undereye) area. Micro fat transfer techniques to plump up these areas will significantly rejuvenate the face.

• Clinicians will gently harvest excess fat from other parts of the body (such as the thighs or stomach region) with a flexible blunt-tip microcannula. The fat gets processed, concentrated then injected via a very small cannula with a feathering technique. 

• Expect that a certain percentage of the transferred fat to be reabsorbed by the body and a slim chance of fat cell necrosis (cell death) but, generally, 60-70% survives indefinitely.[5]

Every case is unique and our clinic wants you to leave satisfied. Submit photos for a free evaluation and complete a short questionnaire for us to evaluate your needs. Take a look at our reasonable prices and learn more about us today.

Looking at the shape of your brow

Do you feel as if people are reading your emotions correctly? Facial expressions help us show the world our personalities, our moods or even how rested we are, yet a sagging brow may diminish or counteract certain impressions we think we are leaving. When someone says that their forehead and brow region on the face keeps them looking tired and miserable, that they just want their face to reflect their happier moods, a cosmetic surgeon would almost instantly recommend a brow lift. There are a few different types and each of them will lead to more refreshed appearances, which should offer you that positive change you seek. Get ready to feel more approachable, alert and less worried.

Types of Browlifts

The type of brow lift surgery your surgeon would recommend for you depends on a few factors, like your anatomy, skin elasticity and desired look. These are the three common types of procedures you will hear about:

• Endoscopic brow lift

• Temporal brow lift (limited incision)

• Coronal brow lift (classic)

An endoscopic brow lift is a moderately invasive procedure that involves a series of very short incisions just behind the hairline, with each incision spanning just under 2 cm (.75 in). The surgeon then repositions your forehead muscles and tissue from the hairline in addition to removing any excess fat that has collected around the brow area.

Contrastingly, temporal brow lifts require longer incisions than the endoscopic procedure, albeit only slightly longer at 2.5 cm (1 in). Most commonly, this type of surgery occurs alongside eyelid surgery and thus relies on those additional incisions for the eyelids to address the area between the eyebrows. This ultimately means that the other incisions are used only to repositions tissues located at the outer brow area. 

A coronal brow lift used to be widely used and, at one point in time, had been commonplace on the market. Nowadays, though, surgeons reserve this technique for only the most difficult of cases due to the fact that it requires an incision from ear to ear.

Recovery

Even for lesser-invasive procedures, it is normal to feel discomfort after surgery. Prescription pain relievers help ease any pain felt after surgery and will help transition out of anesthesia and into the first stages of recovery. Most typically, the scalp feels itchy but it is super important to resist the urge to scratch. 

Any numbness or loss of sensation will also gradually return after a couple of weeks as the collagen in the skin forms and muscles relax into their new positions. In some cases, and especially for the more invasive procedures, full sensation won’t return for a year. Keep in mind as well that it takes a full year for the collagen at the incision sites to rebuild your skin cells to how they had been prior to surgery. So, be kind and gentle to that area during this time.

For more in-depth advice on how to take care of incisions after surgery, click here.

Sources:

[1] “Brow Lift Surgery Information.” ABCS, The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, 17 Sept. 2015, www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/procedure-learning-center/face/brow…

Dedicating yourself to and obsessing over your weight-loss program should bring you a lot of peace of mind, especially knowing that you are keeping up with what’s right for your physical health. One or two affordable procedures can even be thrown into that program to give you a little reward for all that hard work you’ve put in, too. Here are three top types of liposuction that would accentuate your new-found bod.

The Body-Jet system of liposuction

Water-jet assisted liposuction (WAL) involves a flat, fan-shaped water jet stream that detaches fat from its surrounding tissue. This method of liposuction ought to be viewed as gentler and a sensitive approach to separating fat pockets from nearby connective tissue, nerves and even blood vessels. It therefore limits trauma to the surgical area and often accompanies a swift recovery. Some other key benefits include:

• Short and effective pre-infiltration while needing 70% less tumescent fluid

• Harvesting of highly vital adipose tissue, which is composed of specialized cells that act as the base for all fat storage

• Reduced operation time as well as a shorter and smoother recovery

• The selective power of the water-jet helps to reduce the blood loss, hematomas and swelling [1]

What this means is that the surgeon can prepare the most sensitive areas with tumescent fluid, which is a saline, vasoconstricting anesthetic solution that includes Lidocaine and epinephrine, so that he or she will cause less swelling, bleeding and post-op bruising. On top of this, the variable strengths of water flow means that areas of interest can receive a tailored treatment.

¨

Laser liposuction

For those that really dislike the idea of putting your body to the point of a scalpel, laser liposuction targets areas of fatty tissue that weight loss methods just can’t seem to nip in the bud. It generally suits those that have lost a lot of weight already and need that extra touch to sculpt the figure even more. 

For this particular procedure, laser machines have been designed essentially to pop fat cells. After they’ve been perforated, the body’s lymphatic system takes over and flushes out the fat thanks to the fluid that sits between tissue cells, which is called interstitial fluid. This procedure may leave you feeling slightly tired or woozy, but staying hydrated is key to recovery since that interstitial fluid comprises nearly 16% of the weight of the body.[2][3]

Additionally, minimally invasive laser-assisted liposuction functions similarly to the above-mentioned procedure but requires a small incision to remove localized fat in places such as the under chin, arms and inner knees.[4]

Vibrational liposuction

Power assisted liposuction devices have been engineered to perform with a certain number of strokes per minute, and may even accelerate with the help of a power boost options for especially fibrous fat pockets that sit on the back, shoulders or men’s chest. Generally, the range at which we can see devices operating comes in at anywhere between 3,000-6000 strokes per minute.[5] 

Talk about energy!

For more information on liposuction prices at our clinic, check out this link here.

Sources:

[1] “Body-Jet® – Liposuction and Lipotransfer.” Human Med AG, 29 Oct. 2020, www.humanmed.com/en/products/body-jet/#advantages. 

[2] Andersen, Charlotte Hilton. “I Tried Laser Lipo–Here’s What You Should Know About the Treatment.” Shape, Meredith Corporation, 3 Apr. 2020, www.shape.com/weight-loss/tips-plans/i-tried-it-laser-fat-removal. 

[3] “Interstitial Fluid.” The Free Dictionary, Farlex, medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/interstitial+fluid. 

[4] “Laser-Assisted Liposuction: Say Goodbye to Localized Fat.” INTERmedic, INTERmedic Arfran, www.inter-medic.net/aplicaciones/laser-lipolisis/. 

[5] “Vibrasat® Pro Reforms Liposuction.” Möller Medical Blog, Möller Medical GmbH, 22 Oct. 2019, www.moeller-medical.com/blog/how-will-vibrasat-pro-improve-my-practice-m….

Our circulatory systems transport oxygen and nutrients throughout the entire body, and we all know that the heart does the heavy work of pumping the freshly oxygenated blood out from our lungs to the limbs. However, the heart is not strong enough to complete a full circulation around the body on its own.

Inside our veins there exist tiny valves that expand to allow blood to traverse through, then these valves close to prevent back flow. When the walls of our veins over-stretch or lose elasticity, those tiny valves weaken and lose functionality. What happens is that blood begins to flow backwards and pool, typically around the knees and ankles. Swollen varicose veins is a disease of our generation and can severely inhibit mobility in our later years, so catch it quickly before it may be too late.[1]

Risk factors

Jumping to the chase, here are the top contributors to increased risk of developing varicose veins:

• being female

• having a family history of varicose veins

• growing older in age

• being overweight

• having a job that involves long periods of standing

• having a job that involves long periods of inactivity (desk work)

• being pregnant

• having had a previous blood clot

• having a pelvic tumor and swelling

• being born with abnormal blood vessels [2]

Increased pressure and hormones

Certain factors like pregnancy and obesity increase blood pressure on your veins. During pregnancy, for example, the amount of blood in circulation increases in order to aid the development of the baby. While beneficial for the child, it puts extra strain on those tiny valves and expands your veins overall. Additionally, increased hormone levels during pregnancy even facilitate this change by making the muscular walls of the blood vessels relax.[3]

When we gain weight, our heart and veins do heavier work to maintain circulatory equilibrium. Increased masses of fatty tissue cause bulging, which means more blood must try to flow through the veins with every pump of the heart. As muscles need more oxygen to move a heavier body, the load on the heart has already increased by this point and, unfortunately, it may start to overcompensate for veins that could possibly already be compromised.[4]

Losing weight should decrease the overall pressure on your heart, veins and those tiny valves, but significant damage has already been done. Losing weight is most of the battle, but also seeking out treatment for your veins will be your next step to restore the health of your circulatory system.

A proactive way to promote vascular elasticity

While you should still discuss in detail your health status with a doctor, careful sauna use paired with cool bathing could promote healthy dilation and contraction of the veins. You can think of it like “targeted exercise” for the veins, but do make sure to cover trouble areas with a cold, damp cloth while in the sauna and cool down your legs thoroughly as soon as you exit.[5]

Key words: varicose veins, vascular system, veins, blood pressure, sauna, varicose treatment, vein disease

[1] “Varicose Veins Causes.” NHS, United Kingdom National Health Service, 7 May 2020, www.nhs.uk/conditions/varicose-veins/causes/.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] “Overweight? Varicose Veins are a Common Side Effect.” Tri-City Cardiology, Tri-City Cardiology, 23 Feb. 2016, www.tricitycardiology.com/overweight-varicose-veins-are-a-common-side-ef….

[5] “Can I Use the Sauna If I Have Problems with Varicose Veins or Other Vein Disorders?” KLAFS, KLAFS, www.klafs.com/health/faq-for-well-being/varicose-veins.html.

When we talk of “signs of aging” and all its associated features that we bring up in conversations time and time again, we often groan about deepening wrinkles, sagging skin or the need to go out and buy a collagen plumping moisturizer for under the eyes because otherwise you’ll look tired all the time. Sound familiar? Well, strap your boots on tighter because there is even more to discover about the face: fat. In fact, the role of cheek fat and its contribution to younger or older-looking appearances is now a hot topic of discussion in current research.[1]

What happens to our faces as we age?

Skin ages over the years in a similar way as you might stretch and mold clay to create a sculpture. Collagen and acids within the skin keep cells hydrated and elastic while you are youthful and fresh, but years of laughing, sun exposure and gravity itself will mold and harden your facial features into a new position. As time progresses, these particular scenarios occur:

• Collagen levels decrease

• Collagen fibers develop new histological characteristics; i.e., redistribution, density, volume and angle changes

• Ultrastructural collagen network disorganization

• Fragmentation of fibrils and reduced fibroblast strength leads to higher oxidant levels in the skin and further degeneration, delayed wound healing, reduced blood flow, propensity to bruise, and thin skin

• Facial muscles become tense and atrophic

• Facial features sag and droop

• Fat pads drift apart

• Fat pads lose density and contribute to an unflattering contour

• Fat accumulation may lead to permanent puffiness [2][3]

So, in a nutshell, you may think of aging as a cyclical cycle of structural rearrangements going on “behind the scenes” so to speak. A youthful face has evenly distributed, plump fat pockets but age makes them lose volume, clump up and shift downwards, leaving formerly built areas thin and other areas extra puffy.[4]

All about the deep and superficial fat pockets

The main age-related structural augmentations that occur in the face actually differ between superficial and deep fat pockets, which has been uniquely confirmed by cadaver dissections and recent scientific literature. Changes take place in these ways within the outermost superficial fat pockets:

• Medial cheek and nasolabial fat both increase volume in the lower two thirds, causing a triangular folding look at the corners of our mouth that we commonly refer to as laugh lines.

• Middle cheek fat accumulates and creates a convex area in the central portion of the cheek but leaves concave areas above.

• On the edge of the face near the hairline are lateral temporal-cheek fat pockets, which usually don’t shift as we age.

In deep fat compartments we find different age-related shifts:

• The deep medial and lateral sections both tend to stay put because of strong connections to underlying tissue, but they deflate and hollow out over time, which causes a chain reaction to occur as eyelid tissue loses its lower supporting fat. 

• The reduced volume in the deep lateral pocket also allows the above pockets in the cheekbone area to lose their prominence and lift.

• Lower volume in the extensively spread out, deep buccal fat also allows medial and middle cheek fat to sag and hang from the jowls. 

If I want a facelift, what should I expect?

Facelift surgeons will remove excess skin as well as fat tissue in order to sculpt the contours of your face back to its youthful proportions. As our skin loses elasticity, bones flatten out and fat density shifts, so bringing the face back in time not only requires lifting, but rebuilding the skin’s underlying structure that fat pockets provide.

Our surgeons combine reasonable prices and quality care to maximize the happiness and comfort of our customers while with us. Set up your first consultation today.

[1] Fundarò , Salvatore, et al. “Anatomy and Aging of Cheek Fat Compartments.” Open Access Text, 10 Oct. 2018, doi: 10.15761/MDR.1000111.

[2] Fisher, Gary J., et al. “Collagen Fragmentation Promotes Oxidative Stress and Elevates Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 in Fibroblasts in Aged Human Skin.” The American Journal of Pathology, vol. 174, no. 1, Jan. 2009, pp. 101–114., doi:10.2353/ajpath.2009.080599.

[3] Sifaki, Maria, et al. “A Novel Approach Regarding the Anti-Aging of Facial Skin through Collagen Reorganization.” Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, vol. 19, no. 1, 27 Nov. 2019, pp. 717–721., doi:10.3892/etm.2019.8254.

[4] “Why Your Face Ages and What You Can Do.” Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard University, www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/why-your-face-ages-and-what-you-c….

[5] Fundarò, et al., Ibid.