Cheek Implants Houston

The Concept of Beauty.

The immediate question: Why is society so shallow that a bump on the nose might have such an effect on someone's self-esteem or on his or her success?

We all know the role that appearance plays in our lives and the impact it has on our relationships with others. Dr. Joyce Brothers has clearly shown that how we are perceived by others determines how they interact with us. She says. "When you look good and feel great. people treat you as if you're special. Your appearance sends signals to others about who you are. how you feel. even about your values and aspirations. When people treat you as if you are intelligent and friendly, you behave that way, and that starts an upward spiral of success.- "As facial plastic surgeons, we can feel comfortable as we do facial rejuvenation surgery, knowing that vie are helping our patient's outward appearance more appropriately mirror their inner vitality." says Dr. Kridel.

But what happens when we change a feature with which one was born? Are we bowing to society's whims? Not according to some more recent authors. In fact. Several scientific articles about the science of beauty by well-respected bio-psychologists indicate that the desire for beauty may be an instinctive reproductive desire rather than an arbitrary cultural artifact. As author Brad Lemley states. "If beauty is not truth, it may be health and fertility: Lemley goes on to state that landmark studies show that attractive males and females not only garner more attention from the opposite sex. "they also get more affection from their mothers, more money at work. more votes from the electorate, more leniency from judges, and are generally regarded as more kind, competent, healthy, confident. and intelligent." The facial plastic surgery community is helping individuals achieve this instinctual need with cosmetic facial plastic surgery.

Actual cognitive averaging has evolved where we all strive to fit in and rot look out of the ordinary. Aristotle's definition states that a concept of beauty occurs when all parts work together in harmony so that no one part draws unjust attention to itself. The superficiality of an individual society (that we may try to blame on the modeling agencies and women's fashion magazines) may not exist since our quest for beauty has been in play since the beginning of the animal kingdom.

Whisk Away Wrinkles
Everyone's talking about laser skin resurfacing because this is one of the most dramatic and effective options ever available for diminishing wrinkles.

"Chemical peels refresh the skin, but to truly make a lasting change in wrinkles, laser skin resurfacing helps the most," says Dr. Kridel. 'We use a CO2 (carbon dioxide) laser because of its great effectiveness. The CO2 laser not only leads to a smoother, less wrinkled skin, but also vaporizes away the superficial sun damage, irregular pigmentation, and beginning skin lesions. Other lasers often don't do all these tasks and require many treatment applications that the CO2 laser can usually accomplish with one treatment. The CO2 laser requires 10-14 days of recovery, followed by pinkness to the face that diminishes over time. The results are astounding! For those with less time (or recovery, other modalities are available. Dr. Kridel is one of the pioneers in skin resurfacing and has lectured on this topic both nationally and internationally.

Bye Bye to Brown Spots
The Q-switched Ruby (QSR) laser, used to get rid of brown age spots. liver spots and tan birthmarks, is fast and effective. "After treatments with the QSR laser many such spots clear completely," explains Or. Kridel. -Even brown spots on the face that are large and deep can be removed, whereas previously there were few treatments that worked well." he says. Usually in just one or two treatments these unwanted spots can be gone.

Tattoo Treatment
The QSR laser is also a boon for the person who got a tattoo during a wild moment and new regrets that youth-inspired decision. 'With the QSR laser it is possible to remove many types of tattoos – decorative, medical, and traumatic – with very little if any change to the skin: notes Dr. Kridel. The tattoo ink in the dermal skin layer selectively absorbs a short pulse of intense red light emitted by the laser. This laser energy causes the ink to fragment into several smaller pigment particles that are then removed by the body's immune system.

This laser can significantly lighten or remove most tattoo inks. Amateur tattoos contain less ink than professional ones and so respond more quickly to treatment." says Kridel, who has removed a number of these. The QSR laser is also superior because it can erase lesions and tattoos in fewer treatments than most other lasers. However, some tattoos are stubborn and may require several treatments.

Birthmark Blitz
Dr. Kridel also has a vascular laser used to treat telangectasis (spider veins on the face) and red or purple birthmarks. Prior to laser treatment advances, these vessels needed to be cauterized which often left scars. With the advent of vascular lasers, after a few treatments most unwanted fine facial vessels are no longer visible. For port wine birthmarks, more treatments are needed, but the results are dramatic!

Hasten Away Unwanted Hair
Hair removal lasers diminish unwanted hair with long tasting results. These lasers have been designed following years of research on hair follicles. The lasers have unique cooling devices which prevents skin irritation common with other methods. Some hairs are totally eliminated; others become more fine and hard to see. Three to four treatments are usually required.

Tired of being told you look tired? Sick of being told that you shouldn't smile or frown because of the lines it causes? Want to make those lines and creases disappear? If -Yes" is your answer to any or all of these then you are in the majority. Each year more than 100,000 Americans have eyelid surgery, and forehead lifts are almost as common. Botox injections, one of the most popular procedures, are enhancing the appearance of a wide range of individuals from Joy Behar, the co-host of popular talk show "The View", to Jane, the soccer mom down the street.

A lot of people feel young and full of energy. but their faces tell a different story. As we all know, aging is a fact of life. It happens. Bags over and under the eyes give your face a droopy, exhausted look and an eyelid lift can correct this. If you want a more permanent solution to the deep furrows between your brows or you have sagging eyebrows or forehead, you'll find forehead lifting a big benefit. You can also rejuvenate your face with Botox. which relaxes the muscles and smoothes out unsightly wrinkles.

A popular, highly acclaimed and board certified facial plastic surgeon. Russell W.H. Kridel. MD. offers answers to frequently asked questions concerning Eyelid and Forehead Surgery, as well as the increasingly popular Botox treatments.

Eyelid Surgery
Q: How can getting an eyelid lilt make me look younger and match the way I feel inside?
A: Basically, a blepharoplasty (or eyelid lift) involves the elimination of excess fat and skin around the eyes. thus removing bags and pouches. Typically, patients ask to have upper eyelid skin and lower eyelid bags removed; others may want only one or the other. In most instances, patients are looking for a rejuvenated appearance since droopy eyelids are one of the first signs of aging. We often combine eyelid hits with laser resurfacing to reduce eyelid wrinkles.

Q: Who usually gels this procedure done?
A: Eyelid lifts are very common for people starting in their 30s and 40s. Some people, however have sagging eyelids or bags under their eyes al an early age. This is usually hereditary; if your parents' eyes showed signs of age early, yours probably will too.

Q: How long will the rejuvenating effects of the eyelid surgery last?
A: Lower-lid results are almost permanent (if you're over 40). and upper lids should stay youthful-looking for up to 10 years.

Q: What kind of recovery lime should I expect?
A: After surgery the eyelids are bruised and swollen temporarily. However, after a week all the sutures are out, and you're back to work with a new, more youthful look that makes you feel invigorated and enhances your self-confidence.

Forehead Lift
Q: What will a forehead lift do for my appearance?
A: Forehead and eyebrow lifts serve to decrease deep forehead wrinkles and re-support and reshape drooping brows. Some people think that their upper eyelids are the problem, but it may be the forehead that is actually pushing down the eyelids.

Q: How does the procedure work?
A: We usually remove part of the muscle that causes angry-looking vertical lines between the brow. With the use of endoscopic techniques minimal, small incisions are made in the hair, and a scope is placed under the forehead area to clip the frown muscles. Then, with sutures, we pull up the brow and forehead to a higher more youthful level.

Q: What is the recovery rate for this surgery?
A: In the 10-day period after surgery you'll experience some swelling and bruising, and your sutures will be removed seven to fourteen days after surgery, which is the usual recovery rate for most people.

Botox
Q: What exactly is Botox and how does it work?
A: It's the trade name for botulinum toxin type A. It is a type of poison, but it is considered a "pretty poison- because in the doses used by facial plastic surgeons it is one of the safest drugs that we use. Botox works by weakening the muscles of facial expression so they do not contract. Once the resting tone of these muscles is weakened, the pull of the muscles relax and the skin flattens out, allowing normal facial expression to be unaffected. Myobloc is another type of botulinum toxin that is now being used as well.

Q: What is the treatment like and is it safe?
A: Using a very fine needle, a tiny amount of Botox is injected, very precisely, into Several locations on the face. The needle is so tiny and the amount of liquid injected is so small, that pain is minimal. You will feel a small amount of discomfort when the needle pierces the skin and when the Botox is injected. This will last for approximately five seconds. There are rarely serious side effects, anaphylactic or systemic side effects associated with the dosages that we employ. Allergies are also rare.

Q: How often will I need to gel Botox Injections to keep up my look?
A: It takes up to three days to take effect and lasts between three and six months. When it wears off, you will start to notice a return of your wrinkles. Frequently, when they return they are not as deep. It takes two or three Injections a year to maintain the appearance drat you have achieved.

From 2000 to 2001 Russell W. H. Kridel M.D. FACS served as President for the very prestigious American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), whose members number more than 2.700 facial plastic surgeons worldwide. During his term one of his goals was to maintain education as AAFPRS's primary focus. As a part of achieving this goal he gave many lectures and participated in numerous discussions. locally as well as around the country, and abroad.

Dr. Kridel began his term in September 2000 by traveling to Washington, DC for the AAFPRS Fall Meeting, where he gave a talk on "Soft Tissue Facial Fillers." During that same trip he gave a lecture on "The Crooked Nose at the International Rhinoplasty Meeting. He ended his trip to DC at the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head 8 Neck Surgery Annual Meeting, where he spoke on "Septal Perforations," and The Nasal Tip."

At the start of the new year, 2001, Dr. Kridel spoke right here in Houston at the Houston Society of Head and Neck Surgeons' meeting, on "Challenges in Rhinoplasty" and "Saddle Nose Deformity." Then in February it was off to New Jersey and then to Florida to address the AAFPRS at their Mid-Winter Conference.

March took Dr. Kridel to Colorado for the AAFPRS Winter Symposium to speak on -Preventing Recurring Skin Cancer with Laser Skin Resurfacing" and 'Face Lift Incisions: Making Them Inconspicuous." He returned to Houston for a rhinoplasty lecture. Then went to Milan, Italy, where he taught an Italian Master class on such subjects as face-lift incisions, rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty, among others.

In June Dr. Kridel traveled to Chicago as an invited faculty member, presenting talks on 'Revision Rhinoplasty at the AAFPRS Advanced Rhinoplasty Course. In August he went to California to lecture on "Male Rhinoplasty."

October was a very busy month for Dr. Kridel. He traveled to Colombia, South America to speak on rhinoplasty and face lifts. He also lectured to University of Texas residents on face lift incisions, and visited Portland, Oregon to speak on "Male Rhinoplasty." His month ended in Florida. were he gave a talk on "Lip Augmentation."

Finally Dr. Kridel wrapped up the year as faculty member of the course on "The Art of Rhinoplasty" in San Francisco, and by speaking several times on rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty.

The Face Foundation
In addition to his phenomenal work for the AAFPRS and his very successful practice. Dr. Kridel is also involved in several charities, one of which he himself began: The Face Foundation. The Face Foundation provides surgical care at no fee to financially disadvantaged individuals who are survivors of domestic violence. This foundation was set up by Dr. Kridel in 1995 to address the serious effects of domestic violence and to give the survivors aid in rebuilding their lives. With this foundation. Dr. Kridel is able to not only provide restorative and reconstructive facial plastic surgery to women and children of domestic violence, but also education and training in facial plastic surgery to physicians. Not only does Dr. Kridel provide his services gratis. some hospitals also donate resources such as operating rooms, nursing staff time and supplies. and the services of an anesthesiologist. The total average benefit to each patient is often in excess of $10,000. Dr. Kridel and The Face Foundation coordinate their activities with the National AAFPRS Face-to-Face Program. The Face Foundation is made possible through the generosity of donations. To receive more information about The Face Foundation or to donate, please contact Dr. Kridel's office and ask for a brochure.

Facial Plastic Surgery Associates Achieves National Accreditation

We have been awarded the certificate of accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. Inc. (AAAHC). The award means that our office and operating room have met stringent nationally recognized standards for quality care and safety set by the Chicago-based accrediting organization.

"We're pleased and proud to have achieved accreditation," says Dr. Kridel. 'We feel that our patients are the ultimate benefactors from our participation in the accreditation program."

In order to achieve accreditation, we underwent an extensive voluntary on-site survey of our facilities, services and operating room. All aspects of patient care were evaluated by the physician site inspector. The survey findings resulted in a favorable decision.

Not all ambulatory health care organizations, and very few doctors' offices and operating rooms seek accreditation, and not all who undergo an on-site survey receive favorable decisions. Off ice accreditation is voluntary in Texas. but we want to assure you the best in care and standards. In a letter to Facial Plastic Surgery Associates. the AAAHC President writes. -The dedication and effort necessary to achieve accreditation is substantial. Facial Plastic Surgery Associates is to be commended for this accomplishment.

We are so proud to receive the maximum 3-year accreditation from such a reputable organization. AAAHC is a private, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization. It receives professional guidance and financial support from organizations such as the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. American Academy of Dermatology. American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and the Federated Ambulatory Surgery Association, to name just a few.

Accreditation demands a high level of commitment and effort. It challenges us always to find better ways to serve you. It reminds us constantly that our first and most important responsibility is to see that you receive the best care we possibly can.