DO REAL MEN HAVE PLASTIC SURGERY?

Blog by Plastic Surgeon Mr Andrew Ive's

ONCE UPON A TIME, THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION WOULD HAVE BEEN A RESOUNDING, "NO!"

A couple of decades ago, plastic surgery was considered a woman's domain. Sure, it was okay if you had to have it done for reconstructive purposes, preferably from some kind of manly activity like being bottom of the heap in a rugby scrum, but just to improve the way you looked? That was clearly the act of an effeminate or gay man.

Thankfully, attitudes have changed. We've all heard the term 'metrosexual', coined in 1994 by journalist Mark Simpson to describe the growing tribe of men—of all sexual persuasions—who were confident that good grooming and masculinity could happily coexist. Male personal care was thrust into the spotlight and hair styling, moisturising, waxing and manicures went mainstream. It was only a matter of time before plastic surgery followed suit.

The stigma surrounding male plastic surgery continues to fade for a number of reasons:

Celebrity influence

Although the jury is often out on who has and who hasn't undergone the knife, with male celebrities like David Beckham and Brad Pitt happy to discuss grooming tactics, men are becoming more confident that a little self-care is not a one-way pass to Emasculation Town.

Professional success

Many men are beginning to feel that a youthful appearance is important to achieving professional success. Women know only too well the usually unspoken expectations of looking young, attractive and well groomed at work. But as retirement ages increase, men are also starting to feel that an image of youth and vitality is necessary for professional advancement.

Normalisation

With an arsenal of male-specific grooming products, salons and services now available, men are receiving a clear signal that taking care of oneself and wanting to look good is widely acceptable.

Procedures for men

So what types of plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures are men most likely to have? Well, many of the same ones that women have, actually. Popular procedures for men include nose jobs (rhinoplasty), facelifts, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) and liposculpture. Less invasive procedures such as dermal fillers and anti wrinkle injections are also popular to help enhance and maintain a youthful appearance.

But it isn't just for facial freshen ups. Men who suffer from gynaecomastia ('man boobs') can find relief with breast reduction surgery designed specifically for males. Men may also choose pectoral, calf or buttock implants to enhance their physique.

Whether it's correcting a long-standing aesthetic concern, recapturing a youthful appearance or simply enhancing their existing physique, real men know that taking care of their looks doesn't endanger their masculinity. And yes, real men do have plastic surgery.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ANTI-AGEING INJECTABLES & DERMAL FILLER?

When considering Cosmetic Injectables, the difference between anti-ageing injectables & dermal filler can sometimes be a little confusing.  Here, we have briefly explained the difference between these 2 products, how they work, what they are made of and more.

ANTI-AGEING INJECTABLES 

current most popular forms are Botox and Dysport

HOW DOES IT WORK?  Anti-ageing injectables works by relaxing wrinkle-causing-muscles, creating a smooth, rejuvenated and more youthful appearance.

WHAT IS IT MADE OF? This is a natural, highly purified and sterile protein that is extracted from bacteria, in a similar way that penicillin comes from a mould. 

WHAT IS IT USED FOR?  The most common uses are the treatment of frown lines, wrinkles around the eyes, worry lines on forehead, Hyperhydrosis, (excessive sweating of the hands, feet & underarms) and as a migraine treatment.  Other uses include the treatment of a gummy smile, to lift a droopy nose, treatment of bunny lines, to relax chin muscle and to lift eyebrows.  Also can be used as a corrector.

HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?  Average 4 months - depending on amount of product used.  Underarms can last from 8 to 12 months

DERMAL FILLER

current most popular forms are Restylane & Juvederm

HOW DOES IT WORK?  Deposited beneath the skin - this product enables you to replace your diminished volume.  Your facial appearance is immediately refreshed and restored.

WHAT IS IT MADE OF? Firstly - Hyaluronic acid is a substance we all have in our skin naturally.  Hyaluronic acid has many functions in the body, and one function it to keep the skin hydrated.  Hyaluronic acid depletes as we age.  Dermal filler is based on hyaluronic acid.  It is derived from a non-animal source.  This substance has a very smooth formulation. 

WHAT IS IT USED FOR?  Commonly - The treatment of lines around the mouth, forehead & nose.  It is also used to enhance lips.  Some forms of dermal filler are used for the volumising of nose, cheeks, chin and other parts of the face.  Also can be used a a corrector.

HOW LONG DOES IT LAST? Between 6 and 18 months.

The best place to start is booking a free consultation with your cosmetic Nurse.  He/she will answer all your questions, determine if your are suitable for cosmetic injectables and develop a plan for you to get the results you are seeking.

Enjoy refreshed, youthful looking skin!

Paula :)

THE SUBTLE SIDE OF PLASTIC SURGERY

By Plastic Surgeon Andrew Ives

 

 

Plastic surgery has undergone an extreme makeover in its own right. Years ago people wanted to turn back the clock twenty years. Unfortunately the results were far from acceptable. An old saying is true for cosmetic surgery… “Too much of a good thing is bad for you”. We’ve all seen the pictures in magazines, on the telly, and the internet of celebrities and socialites who have ‘overdosed’ on plastic surgery, thinking to ourselves “my god what were they thinking” and even “my god what was their surgeon thinking, or even drinking’ before they started work on them. Well, it may come as some comfort to know that plastic surgeons also look at these same pictures and think these same thoughts. Today plastic surgery and cosmetic treatments are considered to produce a refreshed look, rather than a wind tunnel appearance.

Fortunately in Australia we are blessed with a sense of style and good taste, and this is reflected in the surgical appearance of postoperative patients. Patients want friends and work colleagues to say they look refreshed and enquire if they’ve been away, as they look healthy and vibrant. They don’t want people to know they’ve had surgery whereas in the United States the opposite is true, where having had surgery is seen as a status symbol.

Botox is used to reduce wrinkles and fine lines: to freshen the face and not freeze it. Dermal fillers, both permanent and temporary, can be used effectively to enhance lips both their outline and body without the need to make them look like the rubber lips of a Mike Jagger cartoon, or a couple of marauding hot dog sausages. Most women requesting breast augmentation surgery want a more natural look, rather than a couple of breasts that walk in the room five minutes before they do. Liposuction is now called liposculpture for a reason. It’s more about fine-tuning the body’s shape rather than a procedure to suck enough blubber out of you to make you the equivalent of ninety nine percent fat free.

So in Australia, you can trust that when you walk out of a plastic surgeons office, you will look like you have returned from an island holiday as opposed to having just walked out of the Freak Factory.

DERMAL FILLER QUESTIONS ANSWERED!

2 OF THE MOST COMMON QUESTIONS I AM ASKED REGARDING DERMAL FILLER ARE:

1. If I have one treatment, will I then need to keep having treatments for the rest of my life?

2. What will I look like if I decide against further treatment?  Will I be more wrinkled or saggy?

Most dermal filler including Restylane are based on hyaluronic acid.  Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the body and has many functions, one of which is giving the skin hydration. Restylane is a safe product that is well accepted by the body.

1. Patients are more than welcome to just have a single treatment.  They may have a special occasion coming up, or just feel like a spur of the moment freshen up, and that is completely fine!

2. If you have don't have further treatments, the skin will return to its natural pre-treatment state.  Restylane, however, has been clinically proven to stimulate new collagen growth which may aid in improving the quality and texture of the skin.  So using a dermal filler has great long term benefits on the skin, even after discontinuing treatment. You are always going to be better off with having even just one treatment.

Some other questions asked are:

How long does Restylane last?
Restylane lasts 4 - 12 months, depending on the area treated, the depth of the lines, the condition of the skin and the lifestyle of the individual treated.

Does the treatment hurt?
A Restylane treatment involves injections into the skin, therefore, you may experience some discomfort, however local anaesthetic and topical creams can be used to minimise any pain.

Will people know I have has a Restylane treatment?
It is common for people not to notice the exact change, rather they recognise a subtle difference which may be expressed as 'looking well' or 'refreshed'.
It is however very important to find the right Cosmetic Nurse - who has achieving a 'natural look' as their top priority.  At Fletcher Brown Skin Clinic, this is extremely important to both our Cosmetic Nurses Donna and James.  Both owners - myself and Kate have have brilliant treatments at Fletcher Brown with cosmetic injectables and love our natural looks. Just ask us about it.

You will need to allow 45 minutes for your initial consultation with your nurse.  There is no charge for this consultation.  During this visit your nurse will determine if you are a suitable candidate for the treatment.  Your nurse will also advise you on the best course of action to get the results you are looking for.  If you have a specific budget - please let your nurse know so that an appropriate program can be written for your requirements.

If you would like to book your consultation, please call Fletcher Brown on 97496261.  We have a nurse consulting from Fletcher Brown every week - so we are sure to find a time to suit you :)

Paula :)



DRY "WINTER LIPS"? TRY THESE 3 TIPS!

Dry "winter-lips"? TRY THESE 3 TIPS, and you should be smooth and hydrated in no time!

 

1. Does your caffeine intake seems to go up in winter and water intake goes down? If so try to reduce your coffees to one or two and increase your water intake by adding in herbal teas.

2. If your skin is generally on the dry side, start taking omega 3. You will only see a result if taking the MAXIMUM does of Ethical Nutrients fish oil or flaxseed oil - so please follow the label. You should notice a difference approx one month. FYI krill oil won't help with dry skin.

3. If you are using professional or certified organic skin care, carry any hydrating serums, moisturisers & SPFs onto your lips too. They need nourishment, hydration and protection just as much -if not more - than the rest of your face. Note: Do not carry retinol/detoxing/exfoliating products onto your lips - this will cause a drying effect. If your lip stick/gloss is synthetic - this can also be very drying. You might want to change over to the very hydrating Inika Certified Organic lip sticks and lip glosses.

If your skin is generally feeling dull & dry, it might also be worth booking in for a follow up consultation with your skin specialist at Fletcher Brown.... you just might need a slight adjustment in your skin care routine.

Now pucker up!!!

 

Paula :)

JAMES BARRETT RN MEDICAL AESTHETIC NURSE JOINS OUR TEAM!

Exciting News! The much loved James Barrett RN Medical Aesthetic Nurse is going to be offering Cosmetic Injectables from Fletcher Brown Skin Clinic! James is from the highly reputable Endless Solutions Cosmetic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine practice.

James will be regularly offering treatments on the weeks our wonderful Cosmetic Injectables Nurse Donna Phillips is interstate. Injectables at Fletcher Brown are very popular, so we have felt the push to offer more days to our loyal clients. But don't worry, Donna is not going anywhere! Donna will still be offering treatments, as always every 2nd week

Donna has a close working relationship with Endless Solutions, and recommended that this would be the place to find another exceptional second nurse.

Since then I have spoken to a number of people in the field who tell me that James is brilliant. Patients absolutely love him and he gets fantastic natural looking results. He is warm, friendly and cares about his patients.

James completed A Bachelor of Nursing and Bachelor of Health Science in 2002 majoring in Health Education & Health Promotions. In 2003 he commenced work at the Alfred Hospital Emergency & Trauma Centre and in 2007 James achieved a ‘Nurse Clinician’ position with the Mobile Assessment Treatment Service (MATS) performing medical assessments and treating clients in the community for Alfred Health. James has over ten years experience providing professional Nursing services over Melbourne as well as internationally, both in public and private sectors. With a passion and talent for injecting and a drive to helping people achieve natural looking and excellent results, he looks forward to meeting and consulting with you.

James conducts a thorough 45 minute consultation before beginning any treatment - to ensure you are receiving the best treatment for your needs.

James' first day treating at Fletcher Brown will be Tuesday 23rd of July.

Just call 97496261 if this time suits you!

Paula :)