Botox for Teen before TV Debut
July 21st, 2010
The new star of Glee has had Botox right before she makes her debut appearance – at just 18-years-old. Teenage singer Charice Pempengco says she wanted to have the procedure “to look fresh on camera” before joining the show as a foreign exchange student. I hope this not another new pop culture trend.
It is hard to imagine any cosmetic facial problem that an 18 year old would have, which warrants the use of Botox. Facial animation wrinkles just have not had time to develop. The fact that she had Thermage is quite disturbing. Thermage is a non-surgical procedure that tightens skin and smoothes wrinkles. Superficial skin conditions like irregular pigmentation might also be improved by Thermage, but she was reported to be treated for wrinkles. Skin tightening effects are not necessary, nor are they indicated for teens. This is particularly true for Asian women. In my experience, their skin remains tighter than patients with lighter skin tones. Thermage cannot narrow the face. This requires facial sculpting. Liposuction or buccal fat pad excision remove facial fat to narrow the cheeks and certainly not recommended for teenagers.
The entire situation is absurd! It sounds like another Hollywood publicity stunt or medical grandstanding to me.
MONDAY MYTHS #2: Plastic Surgeons can remove all scars
July 19th, 2010
Myth #2: Plastic surgeons can remove all scars.
“Can you remove this scar?” Patients frequently ask this question and I wish that I could remove all scars, but it is simply not possible. Frequently, scars may be revised to be less visible.
Surgery by definition, involves an incision in the skin at the outset. Of course the last step is sewing the skin back together. Surgical procedures and skin trauma that requires stitches, is no different, the resulting scar is permanent, but usually becomes less apparent with time. Normal body physiology softens and lightens a scar, which often takes six months to a year.
Plastic surgeons design surgery to minimize noticeable scars. This is accomplished by using several strategies. Sometimes the position can be planned so that the scar is hidden. Other times, the direction, shape or orientation of the scar can be rearranged with z-plasty or w-plasty. Having an evaluation for possible scar revision is always an option.
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