Dr. Rhys Branman's Cosmetic Surgery Blog

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...

Cosmetic Procedures Increasing in Iraq

April 19, 2010 - Rhys Branman, MD

CNN brings us this story documenting the resurgence of elective procedures being offered in Iraq.  A patients says influence of the media played a role in her choosing to undergo a rhinoplasty operation. "The internet, video clips, television - we see that those who get surgeries done, they look prettier and that encourages us and gives us an incentive to get cosmetic surgery" she tells reporters. View story: Buying Beauty in Baghdad

A New Skincare Line from the Makers of Restylane

April 12, 2010 - Rhys Branman, MD

Q-Med, maker of Restylane® and Perlane, just announced their new line of skincare products at the World Congress for Anti-Aging Medicine in Monaco. The new line of products contain the same patented NASHA technology used in Restylane® injectable filler, an addition that provides a pleasing consistency while preserving moisture and adding luster to the skin. In a press release, Q-Med explained their intentions with the new skincare line: “The secret to beautiful skin is balanced skin hydration combined with a healthy and protective skin barrier. Restylane® Skincare combines these two qualities in an innovative series of creams [that] supplement the...

The Latest Medical News and Articles of Interest

April 5, 2010 - Rhys Branman, MD

Have you ever wondered about the first breast implants ever invented? Doctors on modernmedicine.com explain the evolution of breast implants and the key advantages offered by the latest 4th generation shaped breast implants. Silicone breast implants have changed radically over the years, coming a long way from the first prosthetics. Link: Modern breast implants evolve to latest generation of ‘shaped’ What happens after massive weight loss? Two sisters in Tulsa, Oklahoma recently found out when they each lost over 130 lbs. After conventional weight loss methods did not succeed, Marla Sheperd and Kelly Butler decided to undergo gastric bypass surgery...

Celebrity Advice on Juvederm and How to “Switch Up” Your Cosmetic Routine

March 22, 2010 - Rhys Branman, MD

The recently launched Juvéderm® "Switch Up campaign" combines social networking with a celebrity voice to educate consumers about non-invasive cosmetic enhancements. TV personality Dayna Devon will be providing health, beauty and lifestyle tips via the official Juvéderm® Facebook page. Devon has experience with wrinkle fillers, saying she began using them in her 30s, when she "noticed deep lines around [her] nose and mouth that looked like two parentheses." To receive useful info from Dayna Devon about fitness, health, beauty and "switching up" your aesthetic routine to look better, become a fan of Juvéderm® on Facebook. (more…)

17 Million Cosmetic Procedures Performed in 2009

March 15, 2010 - Rhys Branman, MD

Over 17 million cosmetic procedures were performed in the U.S. last year, according to a procedural survey conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. The survey, which was different from any previous one conducted by the AACS, posted numbers higher than ever seen before.  To gather data for the survey, the Academy polled its own members as well as random physicians across the United States. The past two years have brought an 8% increase in cosmetic procedures for AACS members, despite the economic recession. Procedures that increased markedly include eyelid surgery, abdominoplasty, rhinoplasty, chemical peels and wrinkle fillers. AACS...

Breastfeeding Correlated With Slimmer Waistlines

March 9, 2010 - Rhys Branman, MD

New research suggests that breastfeeding may play a role in reducing a woman’s waist circumference, even several years after her pregnancy.  Doctors discussed the findings last Friday at the American Heart Association conference on cardiovascular health. Studies of 351 women found that those “who consistently breast-fed their children had waist circumferences that were an average of 2.6 inches smaller than women who had never breast-fed.” We found this story on womenshealth.gov

Breast Implants May Have Shielded Her from Gun Blast

March 1, 2010 - Rhys Branman, MD

A surgeon in California has been speaking publicly about the harrowing story of workplace violence that left one of his patients with scars and deflated implants. The article on LA Times.com is about Lydia Carranza, who was shot in the chest last summer during an incident that claimed the life of her co-worker.  When a man opened fire in the dental office where she worked, Lydia was shot twice: “The bullet fragments were millimeters from her heart and her vital organs,” said Dr. Ashkan Ghavami to the Los Angeles Times. According to a firearms expert interviewed for the story, the...

New Research About Botox and Migraines

February 21, 2010 - Rhys Branman, MD

New research published in Archives of Dermatology supports the conclusion that BOTOX® can be used to treat migraine headaches.  According to authors of the study, BOTOX® injections “at doses appropriate for cosmetic purposes may be sufficient to prevent migraine attacks.” Allergan, the pharmaceutical company behind BOTOX®, has filed for FDA approval to market the injectable drug as a migraine treatment.  Researchers don’t know exactly how BOTOX® works to relieve headaches, but one co-author of the study, Rami Burstein tells Bloomberg news: “[BOTOX®] may block the signals in sensory nerves located on the outside of the head.” Read more about BOTOX®...

Guest Blogger Discusses Breast Implant Revision

February 15, 2010 - Rhys Branman, MD

This is a guest post by Michelle in Denver, who had a breast augmentation many years ago.  She is now considering a revision surgery, so she did some research on the subject. Do breast implants really need to be replaced every ten years? Breast implants do not have an expiration date and there is no requirement to have them replaced at ten years. However, according to the Institute of Medicine, the average life expectancy of a breast implant is 16 years. FDA studies of silicone breast implants suggest that most implants last 7-12 years. However, some breast implants clearly last...

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