» fillers

Non Surgical Midface Lifting – Any Options Available?

Dr. Rivkin — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 19:20:28 +0000

Actually, there are excellent options available. The midface is probably the most important area of the face that “gives away” aging. The loss and descent of facial fat volume in this area is one of the first signs of facial aging. You can’t really lift the area non surgically, but there are significant things that can be done to improve the appearance. First, the tear trough and under eye area can be re-filled with Restylane and Radiesse. This is usually the first sign of aging and filling this area usually gives a dramatic improvement. 10 years in 10 minutes is not an exaggeration. Replacing the definition and prominenece of the cheekbones is also important and can be done with Radiesse or Sculptra. Volumizing the cheekbone area changes the shape of the face back to the heart shape of youth – wider at the cheekbones and narrowing at the jawline. Refilling sunken cheeks and temples is the next important step and Sculptra is a great injectable for that. The side benefit of Sculptra is that it improves the quality of the skin where it is injected. The pores are smaller and the skin becomes thicker and firmer. Filling deepened nasolabial and marionette lines with Juvederm or Radiesse is, of course, part of the equation. Hope that helps.

Ali Lohan’s new face

Dr. Rivkin — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 19:29:06 +0000

My commentary in the latest Monsters and Critics article on Ali Lohan

I can’t say that I know of too many teenagers whose lips suddenly double in volume as they “grow into their bodies.” Not that there’s anything wrong with lip augmentation…. well maybe there is if you’re 17 and your mom is telling you you have to get cosmetic procedures and starve yourself in order to succeed as a model (a purely hypothetical situation – I have no way of knowing if mom is pushing her into it or just standing by irresponsibly as the kid does it to herself) ….

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/lifestyle/consumerhealth/news/article_1662072.php/Ali-Lohan-s-new-face-examined-by-Plastic-Surgeon

Lipodystrophy-like volume loss of the face.

Dr. Rivkin — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 21:04:24 +0000

Hello Doctor,

I am a 25 year old male. I have two questions. One about implant/filler and the other about scar.
I have a light brownish skin complexion. I have been diagnosed with En coup de Sabre Morphea on the right side of the face 3 yrs ago. Because of this decease I have almost totally lost fat/muscle below my right cheek – just beside nose area. I also have partial lipoatrophy. So far I have not lost hairs although I have hair-fall problem for some years now. I also have a dark linear band type mark on the right side of forehead. This area is also depressed slightly but visibly. The disease progression ‘appears’ to have stopped but doctors say they are not sure about lipodystropy.

So, I wish to know the opinion of other doctors about it. First, what is the best laser treatment for an atrophic hyper-pigmented scar on the cheek caused by Morphea? Is there a way to remove or lightened it? Note: it is my report which says it is an atrophic hyper-pigmented scar.
Secondly, my doctor has suggested Artefill to fill the cheek depression. Is it the best option or should I go for silicone implant or for some other option? According to my doctor I cannot have autologous fat grafting because of partial lipoatrophy.
Thanks and regards

When patients come to me with large surface areas of volume loss, such as what you are describing, I think that Sculptra is the best option out there. Hyaluronic acid and Artefill are for lines and areas of small surface area. Sculptra is a collagen stimulator – if you can imagine a fertilizer that grows collagen. It is a thin
suspension, so it distributes evenly and smoothly within the tissues. The results are gradual, over three or four monthly sessions, but the effect is very reliable and lasts for several years. It is important to go to an injector who has extensive experience with Sculptra because there is a technique to injecting it safely and most effectively. This is an injectable that was used extensively for lipodystrophy among the HIV population and has demonstrated its ability to provide significant re-volumization of cheeks, temples and other large surface area regions.
As regards the hyperpigmentation, that should be correctable with the appropriate laser – which one would depend on what we see in the consultation.

What exacty is a non surgical nose job and is it permanent?

Dr. Rivkin — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 19:43:35 +0000

Would it reduce wide nostrils? or make a nose narrower.. i have a thin bridge my nose gets wide at the VERY tip

Non Surgical Nose Job is a procedure where an injectable filler like Radiesse or Restylane is placed under the skin in precise areas to lift the skin and create a straighter appearance to the nose. The procedure cannot reduce the size of nostrils, but it can balance out a wide tip by widening the bridge a bit and thereby making the tip less noticeable. The point would be to make the transition from the bridge to the tip more gradual and soft. I have also had success shrinking a wide tip by injecting it with cortisone.
How long the procedure lasts depends on which filler is used. Radiesse lasts for 10 to 12 months, Restylane for 6 months and Artefill is a permanent filler.
Hope that helps.

Dr. Rivkin on the TODAY Show

Dr. Rivkin — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 23:18:30 +0000

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the Grand Re-Opening Party tonight!

It will be a blast!

The Bad Plastic Surgery Picture Compendium

Dr. Rivkin — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 18:18:11 +0000

All the bad plastic surgery pictures we have seen over the last few years in one place!

http://www.local10.com/slideshow/entertainment/26562742/detail.html

HELP! PMMA BUTTOCK INJECTIONS COLOMBIA OR MEXICO?!?!

Dr. Rivkin — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 20:33:18 +0000

I have been researching about these shots, and the two places out of all it boiles down to is xxx in Tijuana Mexico, or yyy in Cucuta Colombia.
The reason why xxx is one of my options is because I’ve seen azteck girl blogs and photos and it looks amazing! They told me app for 500cc total is 5,000. Kinda pricey. But like the fact I can actually contact them by phone.
I saw a few people post the had injections from zzz in Colombia but no actual personal before and after photos. They quoted me for 600cc 3,500. Not bad. But its very annoying the fact they only email you! They do have a number but its a out of country number. On there site the before and after photos look amazing but on xxx before and afters don’t look as great, but based on azteck girl’s blog and personal experience and photos make a huge difference. My brain hurts from trying to pick..Save about over 1,000 and go to Colombia or go to xxx where it seems some what more legit? Anyone who has been to either of them personaly, recommendations to other PMMA docs, or just opinions? THANK YOU!!

You are playing with fire!

Every few months, it seems, there are reports in the media of unfortunate people dying from high volume buttock injections. What happens is that the material injected (silicone, PMMA, etc) gets into a blood vessel and travels up to the heart, lungs and brain. What we do not hear about are the many people who survive the procedure but have poor cosmetic results. I always tell my patients not to put pressure on an area that has been injected so that the injected material does not displace. The buttocks is an area where you obviously cannot do that. I would imagine that the frequency of lumpiness after high volume filler injections to the buttocks is very high and if a permanent filler like PMMA is used, there will be very little that can be done about it after the fact.

What is the best filler for under eye hollows

Dr. Rivkin — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 18:39:44 +0000

I prefer Juvederm to Restylane in the under eye hollows, but one can get good results from both. Different practitioners have their own preference for Restylane vs Juvederm. However, it should be one of those two. The reason is that HA fillers are reversible and the under eye area is unpredictable as far as how much swelling will take place after injection. Any bumps can be reversed with enzyme if an HA filler is used. There is no need to use anything else because HA (especially Juvederm) lasts for several years under the eyes. The most important factor in the success of the procedure is choosing an experienced and proficient injector. Always ask to see before and after photos.

What is the best filler for the chin area?

Dr. Rivkin — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 18:18:07 +0000

The best temporary filler for the chin area that is FDA approved at this time is Radiesse, in my opinion. It is firmer and longer lasting than any of the HA fillers like Restylane, Perlane or Juvederm. Radiesse is not reversible with enzyme, however, like the HA fillers. You should therefore go to an injector who is very experienced with Radiesse to get the best results.

Asian Non Surgical Rhinoplasty Consultation and Full Procedure – Dr. Alexander Rivkin

Dr. Rivkin — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 19:25:12 +0000

I recently made this brief video – I think it should be useful for people considering Non Surgical Rhinoplasty.

I wanted to go over some of the questions I am usually asked during the consultation process, the main concerns that my asian clients have and demonstrate the procedure from start to finish.