Webster defines the word wrinkle as a small ridge or furrow on a smooth surface, a change from the regular or something new or different. Having worked with the wrinkles on the face or body for the last 30 years I have had the opportunity to see lots of changes (wrinkles) that “appear over night”.  These wrinkles are an inevitable part of the natural aging process.  As we become older our skin gets thinner, drier and less elastic.  Our skin’s ability to protect itself from damage is also reduced as we age.Eventually wrinkles, creases and lines form on our skin.  A person’s genetic makeup also influences how wrinkly we become, and when and where wrinkles start appearing.  How many times have I heard “I look in the mirror and see my mother”?   Even though wrinkles can give people an aspect of wisdom, most people do not welcome them.  Billions of dollars are spent globally on treatments (some good, some not so good) to get rid of them.

Most wrinkles tend to appear in the parts of the body which receive the most sun exposure, including the: backs of the hands, face, neck and chest. The factors that are known to promote wrinkles are: SMOKING –Decreases the blood supply to the skin,
SKIN TONE – Lighter skin tones experience higher levels of sundamage.  HAIR – Body parts that are shaded by hair have less sun damage.  EXPOSURE TO UV – Body parts that are covered by clothing, hats, glasses, and sunblocking agents are less likely to wrinkle. Finally GENETIC FACTORS – If your parents developed wrinkles earlier than other people, your chances of also doing so are significantly higher than somebody whose parents developed wrinkles later than others.  FACIAL EXPRESSIONS – People who repeatedly frown and squint will develop fine lines and wrinkles earlier than others who do not.  Each time we use a facial muscle a groove forms under the surface of the skin. When you are young the skin springs back, but as it gets older and loses its flexibility springing back becomes harder and less frequent, resulting in more permanent grooves.

Treatments vary from over the counter (no prescription) creams whose effectiveness is questionable in comparison to medical procedures and surgery.  Some “OTC” products make great claims with slight to modest results. If there are any results it usually does not last long.  Prescription strength products that address overall skin health is more effective with more lasting results.  Medical procedures such as Microdermabrasion that removes the outer most layers of skin cells and stimulates new skin cell growth.  Repeated treatments are necessary to maintain a smoother appearance to the skin. Laser (light source)
resurfaces the epidermis that is destroyed by a beam of light while the underlying dermis is heated up to stimulate new cell growth.  Botox blocks the chemical signals that cause muscles to contract.  It is injected in small doses into targeted muscles.  If
the muscles can no longer tighten the skin flattens.  Repeated injections are required. Effects last about three to four months.
Chemical peels are chemical solutions applied to the skin surface to cause the affected skin to slough off and peel creating a smoother skin surface.  There are varying levels of chemicals used, thus a varied result.  Soft tissue fillers such as hyaluronic acid (Juvederm) are injected into deeper face wrinkles smoothing them out, giving the face more volume. Ultimately, surgical intervention removes the excess skin creating a tighter smoother face. Facelift, Brow lift and Blepharoplasty preformed by a board certified plastic surgeon (Dr. Conkright) can provide more satisfying results for more severe wrinkles and folds. How good the results are, depends on several factors, including where the wrinkles are, as well as their depth.  There is no current treatment that can stop the ageing process.

Eventually everybody will have wrinkles and lines that become more prominent over time. Remember the saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”?  The best we can do is to slow the wrinkling process down by adhering to the following rules: Get plenty of sleep.  Protect your skin from the sun (UV rays).   Don’t smoke.  Don’t sweat the small stuff.  Drink lots of water.  Use products on the skin that promote a healthy glow.  Exercise.  And SMILE because each day is a gift.   All
advice given to me over my lifetime from my mother (pictured below) Lorene Vincent Williams, whose radiant skin was a shining example of what good genes and good skin care could do.

I look in the mirror and say “I am my mother?”  I hope so……

Martha

Did you know that May is skin cancer awareness month? Well, it is, and I have found some helpful tips that might protect you from this indescriminate disease.  I will begin with this, skin cancer is a lifestyle disease, affecting young women, older men and everyone in between.  But, because it is chiefly a lifestyle disease, it is highly preventable.  Unfortunatly, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime; 13 million Americans are living with a history of nonmelanoma skin cancer, and nearly 800,000 Americans are living with a history of melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, so obviously the proper precautions to prevent it are not being taken.  Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun is the cause of about 90% of nonmelanoma skin cancers and 65% of melanoma cases, and this can be prevented, heres how…

1. Shade.  Seek the shade between 10 AM and 4 PM, this is when the sun is stongest.  Also, try the “shadow rule”.  If your shadow is shorter then you are, the sun’s harmful UV rays are stronger; if your shadow is longer, UV radiation is less intense.

2. Do Not Burn.  A person’s risk of melanoma doubles if he or she has had five or more sunburns at any point in life.

3. Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.  UV radiation from tanning machines is known to cause cancer, and the more time a person has spent tanning indoors, the higher the risk.  Four visits to the tanning bed in one year can increase the risk of melanoma by 11%,  and increase the risk for the two most common forms of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, by 15%.

4. Cover up.  Clothing can be the most effective form of sun protection, so make the most of it with densley woven and bright-or-dark-colored fabrics.  Wear a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses. The more skin you cover, the better.

5. Sunscreen.  Use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.  Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside, and reapply every two hours or immediatly after swimming or excessive sweating.

7. Keep newborns out of the sun.  Babies six months of age and older can use sunscreen, but they should still be protected by shade or sunscreen.  Exposing your child to just one severe sunburn in childhood doubles their chances of developing melanoma later in life.

8. Examine your skin head-to-toe  every month.  A self-exam should not replace an annual skin exam performed by a physician, but it does offer the best chance of detecting early warning signs of skin cancer.  If you notice any change in an existing mole or discover a new one that looks suspicious, see a physician immediately.

9. SEE YOUR PHYSICIAN EVERY YEAR FOR A PROFESSIONAL SKIN EXAM!

In honor of May being Skin Cancer Awareness month, Conkright Aesthetics is offering 20% off of all our sunscreens this month!  Call or stop in today to purchase your HEALTHY SKIN PROTECTION!

Scheduling your cosmetic surgery can be so exciting!  The date, time, and place are all planned, but did you ever think about what foods you should be eating to prepare your body for the healing process. Food choices both before and after your procedure are essential to a speedy recovery.

Before Surgery: It is best to eat high quality proteins such as fish, poultry, eggs, nuts and seeds a few week before surgery.  This will  build up your strength and tissue fibers.  Consuming high-fiber foods such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits and legumes; calcium-rich foods such as nuts, fruits, and leafy greens and essential fatty acids such as nuts, seeds, or vegetable oils are also helpful.  Certain amino acids seem to help wounds heal faster, so before- and especially after- surgery, make sure your meals and snacks feature brown rice, walnuts, almonds, and sunflower seeds.  Vitamin C and zinc also assist your body to heal.  A glass of OJ and eating the daily recommended amount of fruit and produce should provide all the vitamin C you need, while a fortified breakfast cereal is an easy way to get zinc.

It is best to avoid dairy products, sweets, fried foods, and cured meats as these are high in saturated fats and can slow the healing process.  Lighten your diet a few days before surgery; emphasizing fruits, vegetables, ans liquids to help ease the stress on your digestive system.  Also, avoid stimulants such as coffee and alcohol as they can inpair the natural healing process of your bo

After Surgery:  Try to eat small, light, low-fat meals throughout the day when recovering from your procedure.  Examples being; whole-wheat toast, yogurt, pudding, fruits, soup, and small sandwiches and fortified shakes.  If a soft liquid diet is recommended, consider protein and/or nutrient powders, broths, fresh juices, light soups, and pureed fruits or vegetables such as carrots, squash, mashed potatoes, bananas, or applesauce.  Protien is particularly important as it will help build your tissues.  A protein-rich multivitamin shake may be a good way to start getting more protein after surgery.  Constipation is common after surgery due to pain medications, eating fiber can help prevent this from occuring.  Good natural sources of fiber include prunes, prune juice, figs, apricots, berries and other fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.  Aim for at least eight 8-ounce glasses of fluids a day when recovering from most sugical procedures.  This will help prevent dehydration, helps fiber work well, and flushes out the bladder.   Also, olive oil is an excellent and natural way to ease inflammatin following surgery.

Try to avoid drinking caffeinated beverages, if you must, do so sparingly.  Junk food, and especially  foods that contain processed fats such as hydrogenated oils should be elimated from your diet while recovering.

These are some great guidelines to adhere to, however, asking your certified cosmetic surgeon is always best when you have any questions about your cosmetic surgery.

Have your “fine” lines begun to etch a deeper groove into your skin… not to mention psyche…and starting morphing into (cue sinister music) full blown wrinkles?  Lets be Zen about it.  Take pride in each furrow as if it represents a hardship overcome. UGH, who are we kidding??  Let’s plump those babies up!

The world of dermal filler these days is wonderful for the patient.  Faces can be refreshed with a non surgical treatment like Juvederm XC. It is impossible to make a 50 year old look 20 again, but you can look the best you can for 50.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgery, the safer longer lasting injectable such as the Hyaluronic Acid Juvederm is the number one injectable filler in 2011.  Hyaluronic Acid is a naturally occurring molecule much like a sponge- whose primary function is to bind and absorb water which creates volume in the face.

The most common area to treat is smile lines, vertical lip lines, marionette lines (down turned corners of the mouth) and plumping of the lips.  Juvederm is manufactured synthetically.  No testing is required so there is no risk of having an allergic reaction.  Side effects may include itching or redness that may occur at the injection site(s) swelling may last up to 7 days.  The basic procedure is to use a topical numbing cream on the skin which is applied to the areas that will be injected.  Juvederm XC is infused with lidocaine thus improving comfort during the injection.

So don’t stress about your wrinkles!!  (Seriously don’t stress it causes wrinkles) A smoother refreshed look is an injection away.  You can experience injectable gel with a quick in-office procedure and minimal down time. The results are immediate.  So what are you waiting for?  We want to make you “feel beautiful too”

Actual Patients

Before

After

Before

After

It began in the 19th century when a surgeon named Robert Gersuny experimented with paraffin injections, only to stop shortly after when it leaked into other parts of the body.  A few years later, the first successful breast implant emplacement occurred when a surgeon harvested a benign lumbar tumor to correct breast asymmetry.   Moving on into the first half of the twentieth century, physicians began inserting, wait for it….. glass balls and even wood for breast implants. Yes, you did read that, WOOD!  Some even tried ivory, polyurethane, sponges, and ox cartilage.  You can guess the results of those attempts.  Next, doctors began trying non-surgical solutions for “the search of a bigger bust” with vacuum pumps, suctions devices, a multitude of lotions and potions, and padded or inflatable bras.  Now, the padded bra idea has really taken off, Victoria’s Secret,  a secret no more.    Enter PLAYBOY magazine in the 1950s. It was the decade that a whole swathe of cultural influences came together around the idea of a larger breast, with the launch of Barbie and film stars playing a big role as well.

Her name was Timmie Jean Lindsey, mother-of-six, she laid down on the operating table at Jefferson Davis Hospital in Houston, Texas in the spring of 1962.  Over the next two hours, she went from a B cup to a C cup, in the first ever augmentation mammoplasty using silicone breast implants performed by Dr.’s Gerwo and Cronin. This operation made history, but at the time no one knew the magnitude of it.  Timmie Jean had originally been to the hospital to have a tattoo removed from her breasts, and it was then that the doctors asked if she would consider volunteering for this first-of-its kind operation.   At the time, Timmie Jean was more concerned about getting her ears pinned back because they stood out like Dumbo.  So the deal was struck, breasts for ears.  Following surgery she stated that they “came out just perfect…soft just like real breasts”.  She didn’t get the full results of them until after she went out in public and men on the street would whistle at her. The operation boosted her self-confidence, and she has enjoyed the extra attention.  Timmie Jean is now 80 years old and she still has her breast implants, she has a good thing going, why stop just because you are 80?

It has been 50 years since the first breast enlargement using silicone implants.  Today it rates as the second-most popular form of cosmetic surgery world wide,  having been undergone by 1.5 million women in 2010.  It started out somewhat barbaric, and with a little trial and error, but, because of those innovative minds of the past, women today have over 450 choices when it comes to breast implants.  Anyone need a consultation?

Danielle

Conkright Aesthetics is having a Derby Party!

This spring we have decided to have a party like nothing we have ever done before.

Prizes worth $2000!

Wear the biggest and brightest derby hat for the hat contest!

Place your “bets” for who you think will win, place, or show in the 138th Kentucky Derby.

All proceeds benefit the Warrick County Humane Society.

Bring a friend, if you both purchase a product or service you each receive an extra 10% OFF!

This is truly going to be our “Best Party Yet!”

Reserve your spot today, 812-842-0240!

Botox is the most popular cosmetic procedure in the United State, however, it contines to inspire fear and confusion. So, how do you know if it is right for you? That depends on your taste, pocketbook, and tolerance for needles. Here is the 411 on all things Botox, then you can decide for yourself.

What is Botox exactly? Botos is highly purified toxins that can temporarily erase or reduce the horizontal forehead lines, vertical frown lines, and crow’s feet. Injections slow muscles that contract hundreds of times a day, that eventually etch lines in the skin, a.k.a. wrinkles.

Can Botox make you look ‘frozen” or have a numb feeling? It will not affect the nerves that cause sensation, or make your feel numb. When used correctly, it can lift the brow to give an appealing and sincere look. But, beware, if too much is injected you can look “Spocked”. That is why it is so very important to be treated by and experiance injector who can judge the size of your muscles and how much Botox you will need.

Pain. Does Botox hurt? Botox is like any other injection with a needle. Yes, it can be slightly painful, especially between the eyebrows. But, luckely some injectors numb the area with topical anesthetic or apply ice before hand.

Side Effects. Every drug has side effects, and Botox is no exception. Luckily, they tend to be minor and short-lived. In one to five percect of cases, there can be a mild droopiness of the eyelid or eyebrow. This usually goes away within two weeks, and if you are taking medications that contain aspirin or NSAIDs can develop pinpoint blue bruising.

$$$. Prices for Botox vary widly, based on the amount you will need, and how much the office is charging. The average cost is $400 per treatment. The toxins come dehydrated and must be reconstituted, so some offices reportedly over-dilute, or simply don’t use enough. The quality of the results always depends on who is on the other end of the needle.

What is the ideal age to start using Botox? You don’t need it before you have wrinkles to hide. Other than that, a patient can have Botox safely whenever they are bothered by their wrinkles. No issues arise with long term use. Many people who have used Botox repeatedly for over 20 years are without side effects.

How long does Botox last? Good results usually last three to four months, but this varies from person to person.

Will anyone know I have Botox? Yes and no. Good results leave you looking fresher, more cheerful, and perhaps younger. Badly done Botox has telltale signs. A smooth and shiny forhead, or a forehead and crow’s-feet that don’t move when you laugh or cry.

The day after. What can you expect? Not much really, results will begin to show in a couple of days and will develop gradually over the course of two weeks.

Well, that is it. I hope I have helped. Botox is a great cosmetic when used properly. If you feel that this is something you would like to try, call our office, we would love to make you feel beautiful too!

Danielle Blevins

They’re not even on the market yet in the United States, but the gummy bear breast implants are already being touted by some as the next “wave” in breast augmentation.

In clinical trials in the U.S. for the last decade. The highly cohesive gel, formstable (a.ka. “gummy bear’), breast implants are available just about everywhere else.  They combine the safety of saline breast implants with the natural feel of silicone breast implants.  Silicone is a naturally occurring element found in sand, quartz, and rock that can be manufactured in the form of oils, gels, and solids.

Recently, the Food and Drug Administration cleared new Sientra Inc.’s silicone breast implants for use in the U.S. This adds another competitor to versions of the product already offered by Allergan Inc. (AGN) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) unit Mentor Worldwide, LLC.  It is exciting to have another brand of implants available on the market to choose from!  Competition is a good thing.

Invented in the 1990′s and widely used throughout the world since 2000, highly cohesive gel implants are manufactured by all three implant companies.  Allergan’s 410, Mentor’s CPG and Sientra’s Nuance and Enhance.  Highly cohesive gel implants take the concept of a silicone implant a step further.  They’re manufactured as a solid mass of silicone gel that’s created by adding a cross-linker to the liquid gel to produce a tighter molecular bond.  The result is similar in consistency and feels like the small rubbery-textured, gelatin-based gummy bear candies, hence the nickname.  Cut a wedge out of a cohesive gel implant and it will maintain its shape, which is why these devices are described as being more “form stable”.

These implants feel soft and supple,  maintain their shape well, display no visible implant line (rippling or folds), will not leak and pose less risk of capsular contracture.  On the down side they are are so form stable they impart their shape on the breast (tear drop shape), it requires a larger incision, if the pocket is too loose it could rotate and make the breast look distorted, and are currently more expensive than other gel or saline implants.

The real test of marketing for a new breast implant is the history.  After the first ten or twenty thousand patients have had them placed and five to ten years have passed.  So new implant products are in a gray zone.

Thousands of women annually choose to have breast augmentation, some saline, some silicone.  Breast implants are the most studied of all medical devices.  Gummy Bear or not, breast augmentation is the number one cosmetic surgery in the United States. The quest continues for the perfect device!

Martha Hahus, Clinical Nurse, Conkright Aesthetics

There is no sheriff in town when it comes to preventing doctors from doing what they are not specifically trained to do.   You wouldn’t go to an ER doctor for a tummy tuck? How about letting your family physician perform a breast augmentation? Today many of the non-specialists are looking for ways to cash in on one of the few areas of medicine that continues to see growth, cosmetic surgery.

According to the International Master Course on Aging Skin, the cosmetic industry has grew 10.1% from 2012 to 2011 to between 4.1 to 4.9 billion.  Many expect this number to grow another 11.12% in 2012.  This growth is extremely important since health care declined to a near record rate in 2010 due to unemployment, higher insurance bills, and the lack of disposable income.

So what does it take for an ER doctor or family physician to expand into cosmetic surgery?  Years of training, classes, and certifications?  No, surprisingly it is shockingly easy to branch off into cosmetics despite the complexities and complications associated with these procedures. Unfortunately, there are very few rules that must be followed, and because of this, many doctors are offering services they simply are not qualified to perform.

Doctors untrained is cosmetic surgery is only part of the problem.  Today, you can’t turn on your computer or television without liposuction being offered on a daily deals site alongside a mani and pedicure. This has caused society to treat cosmetic surgery in a dangerously casual manner, and these misconceptions increase the risks of serious complications.

Over the past couple of months plastic surgery has taken a beating in the media.  Starting with the European breast implant scandal to the scary number of “plastic surgery gone bad” stories.  Who can forget the woman who died in November after having cement, super glue and tire sealant injected into her buttocks? Situations like this make it easy to see a connection between untrained professionals performing cosmetic surgery to the number of botched procedures.

What is the best way to choose a plastic surgeon?

Word of mouth is a great way to determine if a doctor is worth visiting. Remember to ask questions during your consultation, look at the surgeon’s before and after photos.  The consultation is the key.  The time a doctor spends with you is often directly proportional to the time he or she will take to do your surgery.  If the doctor seems rushed, overly eager, or pressures you to have procedures you don’t want, maybe you should consider another doctor.

The final and most important part in making your decision is proper board certification.   A surgeon who is “board certified” is not enough. What are they certified in?  A cosmetic surgeon should be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Don’t be afraid to ask your surgeon about his board certifications, many will be more then happy to explain how this sets them apart from other area surgeons.

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