Dr. Rhys Branman's Cosmetic Surgery Blog

Claire Danes Shows Off her Latisse-enhanced Lashes

July 20, 2010 - Rhys Branman, MD

Actress Claire Danes, the latest celebrity spokesperson for Latisse®, shows off her new longer lashes in a before and after photo gallery posted on latisse.com. Latisse® is the first and only prescription treatment approved by the FDA to grow lashes longer, fuller and darker. Since its approval by the FDA in December 2008, about 1.5 million kits of Latisse® have been sold. Brooke Shields was the first celebrity spokesperson to use and promote Allergan's eyelash product. With photos at 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks of product use, the before and after gallery illustrates the product's effectiveness on Danes's...

Botox Gets U.K. License as Migraine Treatment

July 14, 2010 - Rhys Branman, MD

The U.K.'s drug regulator became the first in the world to approve BOTOX® as a treatment for preventing chronic migraine headaches, Allergan announced last week. While it is best known as a wrinkle treatment, it can now be used on migraine patients in the U.K. who have headaches at least 15 days a month, including migraines on 8 days. The U.K. approval could shortly precede a decision on BOTOX® as a migraine treatment from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to the Wall Street Journal. The clinical trial had 1,384 adult participants who had a history of migraines and...

Thermage Featured on Today Show

July 7, 2010 - Rhys Branman, MD

NBC’s Today Show recently profiled four women who received noninvasive skin treatments, including Thermage. Dr. Anne Chapas, a dermatologist in New York City, explained to Meredith Vieira how she used Thermage to help patients with skin laxity. Thermage was developed to tighten skin without surgery. It works by using radio frequency energy to heat the tissue below the skin while it keeps the skin surface cool. This "tightens" existing collagen and stimulates new collagen growth. Lisa, a new mom, received Thermage treatment on her stomach. She explained that she had a lot of extra flab in her mid section after...

A Simple, Low-cost Way to Fight Aging

June 28, 2010 - Rhys Branman, MD

Between your cosmetic procedures, don't forget about everyday ways to fight aging. You probably know some of the more common ones—such as wear sunscreen and don't smoke. But one thing you may not have thought of as anti-aging: flossing. Flossing daily may help fight the effects of aging over the long-term. You leave 40 percent of your teeth dirty with bacteria if you’re not flossing, which causes staining and yellowing between and around teeth, Dr. Eugene Antenucci, a spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry, told MSNBC for a recent article. Too much plaque can lead to gingivitis—the first stage...

Injectable Advancement Means Less Pain for Patients

June 21, 2010 - Rhys Branman, MD

The July 2010 issue of Cosmetic Surgery Times reports that the U.S. injectables market now offers lidocaine-containing versions of popular hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers. Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that is injected directly into the body area and decreases pain by temporarily numbing that area, according to WebMD. Three injectables won FDA approval in February 2010 for lidocaine versions in the U.S.: Juvéderm® XC Restylane®-L Perlane-L Dr. Michael H. Gold, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and School of Nursing, says the products performed similarly to their lidocaine-free predecessors in terms of efficacy and...

Plastic Surgery Becomes Popular Gift for Grads

June 14, 2010 - Rhys Branman, MD

One of the latest trends in plastic surgery is for teens to receive a procedure as a graduation gift, according to Crain’s New York Business’s recent article “Pomp and rhinoplasty honor grads.” The demand for plastic surgery among teens has grown in the last few years, and it’s becoming a popular graduation gift for high school and college grads. Over  8,000 U.S. teenagers aged 18 and 19 had breast enlargements in 2009—more than triple the number in 2001, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The increase was seen during the recession, at a time when there was a...

Preserving Ethnic Traits in Rhinoplasty: How Cosmetic Surgeons Are Doing It

June 7, 2010 - Rhys Branman, MD

In a new article for ModernMedicine.com cosmetic surgeons are discussing rhinoplasty and how they meet the needs of a patient who wants to maintain his or her ethnic appearance. "There are subtle things that we can do to make a change in the profile, in the definition of the nose, without changing their ethnicity, without intrinsically changing their appearance,” said Charles M. Boyd M.D. For surgeons, managing the patient’s expectations is important.  Likewise for the patient, communicating desires and aesthetic goals for rhinoplasty is critical.  Each doctor-patient relationship will go through this process in a different way.  One emerging trend...

Surgeons Gather for Annual Breast Surgery Workshop

May 17, 2010 - Rhys Branman, MD

40 surgeons recently gathered in Ohio for the 4th annual Breast Surgery Workshop.  To attend, doctors from England, Canada, Taiwan, and other areas of the U.S. traveled to the practice of Cincinnati cosmetic surgeon Dr. Mark Mandell-Brown. Sponsored by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, the nation's largest medical society of cosmetic surgeons, the 3 day workshop focused on procedures such as breast augmentation, breast lift, and breast reduction surgery. "Our course has earned excellent recognition and is one of the most popular breast courses in the Academy," said Dr Mandell-Brown. The doctors discussed the latest development in cosmetic breast...

National Women’s Health Week is May 9-15

May 10, 2010 - Rhys Branman, MD

National Women’s Health Week began yesterday and continues until May 15, 2010. During this time, we should “recommit to breaking existing barriers and improving the health of American women for generations to come,” says a proclamation by President Barack Obama. The official press release recommends several steps to help achieve these goals, including the following: Lead healthy lives and set an example for your children. Take advantage of preventive care with routine screenings and checkups. Practice simple everyday activities like using sunscreen, exercising regularly, and eating healthy. Emphasize the role of women in promoting the vitality of our children and...

Vein Treatment Injection Approved by FDA

April 26, 2010 - Rhys Branman, MD

Asclera, an injection used to treat varicose veins and spider veins, has been granted FDA clearance. According to the FDA press release, Asclera is indicated for: Spider veins (tiny varicose veins less than 1 millimeter in diameter) Reticular veins (those that are 1 to 3 millimeters in diameter) Asclera, also known as polidocanol, is injected into the targeted vein, causing damage to the cell lining and then vein closure.  An anesthetic is included to promote a comfortable treatment.  “Asclera is indicated for the treatment of small types of varicose veins when the aim of treatment is to improve appearance,” said...

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