Don’t let cold weather and central heating turn you into a flaky mess! Make a few tweaks to your routine and keep skin soft all winter long.

1. Start using a richer face cream. Your favorite summer lotion is likely too wimpy now. Lightweight formulas have a high water content so when it gets cold and dry outside, they evaporate easily and steal some of your natural moisture in the process. Upgrade to a heavier cream that contains oils, butter or waxes. Hint: If it comes in a jar, it is substantial enough.
2. Take a break from harsh cleansers. Products that promise a deep clean usually means they strip oil from your skin. Face washes that contain benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid, and strong detergents are too harsh for now. An oil-based or creamy cleanser is better.
3. Stop exfoliating so much. Exfoliation can backfire in winter if you are too aggressive. Keep it simple by using a washcloth daily or a mild scrub only once a week.
4. Dial back on wrinkle treatments. Ease up on antiaging treatment. Vitamin A creams are the gold standard but they are tough for the skin to handle in the winter. Use a prescription retinoid only once a week.
5. Moisturize when your skin is damp. If you apply body lotion immediately after a shower or bath, you trap moisture into your skin, keeping it hydrated longer. Serious lotions soothe dry skin with hydrators like petrolatum, dimethicone, or shea butter, plus glycerin or urea, creating a protective seal.

excerpts from an original article by Erica Metzger, Ladies’ Home Journal

 
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¹Data collected through March 2012

In this edition

Liposuction Myth – Believe liposuction is a good way to lose weight? The ASPS cautions consumers the procedure is only for fat that’s resistant to diet and exercise. Dr. Rod Rohrich, Editor-In-Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PRS), weighs in on the topic.

Tummy Tucks Help Keep Weight Off – Research in the current issue of PRS looks at tummy tucks performed on people who were obese prior to the procedure. Learn why researchers believe these patients are more likely to keep the weight off for good.

No Surgery for Smokers? – Also from PRS, we’re not just blowing smoke. The bad habit can bring disaster to surgery results.

In this edition

• Medical Tourism Alert
• Facelift Longevity
• Indian Rhinoplasty

LATISSE – Now available in 5mL size!

Have you ever wanted longer, fuller and darker lashes? Latisse is the product that you are going to want to use. Our office has carried Latisse Eyelash Growth solution for some time, and patients are pleased about how much of a difference they have seen in their eyelashes.

Formerly, Latisse came in a 3mL size which would last up to 45 days, depending upon the application frequency. We now have 5mL bottles, which is 67% more solution that will last 60-90 days.

The regular price for the 5mL bottle is $170 at our office. We are reducing the price by $20 and have rebates for and additional $25 off. There are a limited number of rebates, and we will not be able to get any more, so call the office if you are interested.

Helpful Information

Skin tags, which are small pieces of extra flesh, are benign lesions that are typically a by-product of age, pregnancy or changes in hormone levels. They are most common in areas that chafe. There is really nothing you can do to prevent tags, and some people seem to be genetically predisposed to them. But relax: They are harmless, though you can always check with Dr. Burrow about ones that become irritated or change. If necessary, they can be removed in the office by a simple procedure.

Take advantage of Botox at $10 a unit for new patients!

Additional savings when register with the Brilliant Distinctions Program. Call if you have any questions, or would like to get more information.

Retinol, The Anti-Aging Ingredient

There are literally thousands of creams and serums available that all promise to turn back the clock and other wishful claims, but at this point there is only one super ingredient that really delivers on such promises, and that ingredient would be the retinoids. Both over-the-counter retinol and its prescription counterpart Retin-A fall under this category. While it was initially used to treat acne, blackheads, and dead cell buildup in pores, retinol was also found to have effective anti-aging properties.

You will need to tailor its use to best suit your skin type. Luckily it comes in varying forms and strengths. That said, there are a few important things to keep in mind before incorporating a retinol regimen, like the time of day you should be applying it or how long it will take to see results. Once you have found the right balance, you will be on your way to more youthful-looking skin.

Retinol and Retin-A are both part of a group of derivative compounds of the vitamin A family. Retin-A is the prescription form, and has been shown to reduce fine lines, smooth skin texture and help normalize pigmentation. With a prescription from Dr. Burrow, you may start seeing results in a short period of time. On the other hand, retinol, which is available in over-the-counter skin care formulations, may take longer to achieve results, but many find it less irritating than the prescription formula.

If you choose to use a retinol product, starting in your 30′s is recommended, but it is never too late to begin using in your night care routine.

As Retinol is photosensitive, it should only be applied at night. It should be used initially every other night and work up to every night. It exfoliates the skin, and may cause the skin to peel, flake, turn red and dry during initial use. It is key to use small amounts until the skin works up tolerance. A moisturizer should be used in tandem.

excerpts from an original article by Simone Kitchens, Huffington Post, 10/24/12

In this edition

Women Want to SEE Breast Reconstruction – New ASPS statistics show 89% of women facing mastectomy would like to see the results of breast reconstruction before actually having the surgery themselves.

Patients of Courage All Breast Reconstruction Patients – This year, in recognition of our Breast Reconstruction Awareness Campaign, the ASPS annual Patients of Courage awards all go to breast reconstruction patients for the first time.

Next Time – BRA Day and Jewel Concert Oct. 29 – In November, highlights from the first ever BRA Day USA and the Jewel Benefit concert in New Orleans to raise money for Breast Reconstruction Awareness.

In this edition

Jewel’s Benefit Song “Flower” – Inspired by breast cancer survivors, Flower is the official anthem for the ASPS Breast Reconstruction Awareness Campaign. Now available on iTunes.

BRA Day USA, October 17 – Mark your calendar! The campaign kicks off the country’s first annual Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day.

New Breast Reconstruction Animation – So what are those options and why do you need to know them before a mastectomy? New animation answers all your questions.

In this edition

Liposuction Does Not Cause Fat to Return to Untreated Areas – New study in the current issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery® finds that fat does not return to untreated areas after lipo.

Eyelid Surgery – It’s one of the top 5 most popular noninvasive cosmetic procedures.

Plastic Surgeons on Facebook – Looking for a plastic surgeon? Don’t forget about Facebook.

As this summer in Colorado has been unusually hot and sunny, sharing more information about being safe “under the sun” seemed appropriate for this issue.

Unprotected sun exposure is one of the most preventable risk factors in skin cancer, the most common of all cancers in the U.S. More than 2 million new cases of basal and squamous cell skin cancer will be diagnosed this year, as will 76,000 of the most deadly type of skin cancer, melanoma, which suggests that many Americans don’t quite have a handle on sun protection.

Sun Mistakes We’re Still Making

• Thinking being in a car is keeping you protected. Wear at least SPF 30 on long rides.
• Being cautious only when it’s sunny. On cloudy days, you’re still exposed to 80% of UV rays.
• Using old or overheated sunscreen. Sunscreen typically loses effectiveness after 2 years; sooner if left in hot spots such as glove compartments or on a beach towel for hours.
• Not reapplying. Even when using “water resistant” brands, reapply every 2 to 3 hours after sweating or swimming.
• Trusting in numbers. An SPF 100 blocks only about 1% more UV rays than one with SPF 50.
• Tanning. People are still doing it and it is suspected that is why melanoma is increasing among women ages 18-39. Try a sunless tanner instead.

In addition to not making the mistakes mentioned above, remember the other essential elements of sun protection, which include clothing, shade, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses.

How To Fake a Great Tan

1. Exfoliate your skin with a gentle, oil-free scrub.
2. Dab petroleum jelly on dry spots (feet, elbows, knees) and on toenails and fingernails.
3. Apply tanner to legs first. Start with an up-and-down motion, and then change to little circular movements.
4. On your face, start blending tanner from the center and work outward.
5. Wash and dry hands, then add a touch of tanner to the backs of your hands using a sponge.

Health Magazine, June 2012

Moles: What’s Normal, What’s Not

Don’t put off that annual skin cancer screening: melanoma incidence in increasing faster than any other type of skin cancer. When caught early, the survival rate is about 98%. But once it spreads to other parts of the body, it is usually lethal. If a mole is asymmetrical, has an irregular border, is multicolored, or larger than a pencil eraser, get it checked in our office or with your dermatologist. The key is that if the mole has changed, get it checked.

In this edition

Fab Over-50 Facelifts – Minor facelifts may not cut it if you’re looking for significant improvement.

Laser Hair Removal – It’s one of the top 5 most popular noninvasive cosmetic procedures.

New Breast Lift Technique – Plastic surgeons are studying a technique that could make the results last even longer.

Don’t assume that you are safe from photo-damage just because the sun is barely up when you leave for work. Unlike UVB (ultraviolet B) radiation, UVA (ultraviolet A) rays travel through windows in the office, home, and car. UVB radiation is responsible for sunburn and plays a major role in causing skin cancer. It affects the outer layer of the skin. UVA, while less intense than UVB, is 30 to 50 times more prevalent than UVB and penetrates to deeper layer of the skin. UVA is the dominant tanning ray and is closely linked to skin aging. It also damages skin DNA and causes skin cancer.

The new rules will require testing and labeling for protection against both UVA and UVB rays, and sunscreens that meet FDA standards for both and have an SPF of 15 or higher will be labeled “broad-spectrum” and may say they not only protect against sunburn, but, if used as directed, can reduce the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging caused by the sun.

Any sunscreen not labeled “broad spectrum” or with an SPF between 2 and 14 must include the warning, “This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin aging.”

A clear message must state how long water-resistant sunscreens maintain protection after a person swims or sweats. Labels will specify either 40 or 80 minutes of protection, and if they aren’t water resistant, there will be a warning to that effect.

I have always recommended to my patients to look for three key ingredients in a sunscreen: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and /or avobenzone, which can be found in the Anthelios line by LaRoche-Posay™ that we carry in the office.

Helpful Suggestions
It can sometimes be too apparent on what side a patient sleeps by the vertical lines on the upper or lower cheek. Skin is pressed against wrinkles in the fabric. The best way to avoid sleep lines is to sleep on your back. More realistically, use a pillow case made of a smooth fabric, such as satin, silk, or the softest, highest-thread-count cotton fabric
you can.

For any questions about a surgery or procedure, call the office or visit the Contact Us page here on the site.

There is nothing Botox can not do… or so it might seem.

In addition to the most common cosmetic uses which include softening of the crow’s-feet and the deep frown lines in the forehead, the drug’s therapeutic versatility is remarkable.

As reported in Plastic Surgery News, April, 2012: “It was scientific serendipity: Only three years after Botox was approved by the FDA to treat involuntary squinting associated with strabismus and blepharospasm (excessive winking), physicians administering the drug couldn’t help but notice that their patients were beginning to develop a peculiar but remarkable beneficial side effect: they were losing their wrinkles.”

Approved for 25 unique indications in 85 countries, Botox’s therapeutic reach is long. Since its inception in 1987, it has been approved for-and successfully treated-the effects of cervical dystonia(spasm), severe primary hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), upper limb spasticity, urinary incontinence, chronic migraines and more. It has been dubbed “the little neurotoxin that could” by USA Today.

Botox’s world-renowned record of efficacy and safety has been built on more than 22 years of clinical experience and more than a century of scientific discovery. Considering the indications that extend through different specialties, the multifunctional use is quite remarkable.

Visit the Botox page here on the site for more information, take advantage of special discounts, or to schedule an appointment to discuss with Dr. Burrow if Botox is appropriate for you.

Take advantage of our limited offer of Botox at $10 per unit for all new patients.

Get your beauty sleep
In today’s busy society, it’s impossible not to be tired-let alone look like you could use some extra sleep. Puffy, raccoon eyes top the list of concerns of prospective patients. Many injectables, creams, and surgeries are designed to target tired eyes.

It’s an epidemic. At least 40 million Americans suffer from chronic, long-term sleep disorders each year, and 20 million more experience occasional sleeping problems, according to the National Institutes of Health.

And while blepharoplasty (eyelid lift) can make a difference, surgery can be much more effective when paired with quality sleep.

By acknowledging sleep deprivation and seeking to identify and troubleshoot any barriers to quality sleep, plastic surgeons can help make sure patient expectations are met or even exceeded with the results of their procedure.

The two features that make patients look tired are under-eye puffiness and dark circles. Eye puffiness is a factor of under-eye fat and can be genetic.

Under-eye skin is some of the thinnest on the body. It is almost translucent. When sleep-deprived, blood pools under the eyes, creating dark circles.

Only so much can be overcome with plastic surgery and nothing is a substitute for good sleep, which goes hand in hand with surgery.

Sleep will also help improve a patient’s overall complexion as skin will go from ashen and pale to rosy and healthy because more sleep will boost circulation and reduce inflammation. This will enhance overall appearance, including those features that were modified via surgery.

PlasticSugery, May 2012 – Micheal Breus, PhD

Schedule a consultation with if you would like to discuss ways to restore a refreshed look to the upper face. We look forward to meeting with you.