Dr. Michael A. Fiorillo, MD

 

 

Our top priorities are safety, honesty and patient satisfaction, which we can achieve through individualized care and the most advanced, minimally invasive procedures available.

Archive for March, 2012

Clay Aiken Admits to Plastic Surgery

Thursday, March 29th, 2012

Back in January, I wrote a blog about rumors circulating the internet that Clay Aiken had underwent cosmetic surgery on his face.  Aiken, who turns 34 this year, has finally put those rumors to bed.  Canadian newspaper, Toronto Sun, is reporting that Aiken has owned up to his surgery.

“Singer Clay Aiken has come clean about his cosmetic surgery makeover for the new season of U.S. reality show Celebrity Apprentice,” reports Toronto Sun. “He revealed, ‘I had surgery on my jaw for a TMJ (Temporomandibular joint) disorder thing and I had them suck the fat out of my chin while they were in there.’”  The American Idol runner up made his liposuction confession on Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live.  And, Aiken isn’t alone.  According to the most recent male cosmetic surgical data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, liposuction is the third most popular cosmetic surgery among men.

Other Common Procedures Among Men

Clay Aiken’s recent admission brings to light an interesting fact –  more men are seeking plastic surgery.  As thousands and thousands of men are choosing to go under the knife,  the taboo of male plastic surgery is becoming a thing of the past.

Here are a few of the most popular cosmetic procedures among men today:

  • Blepharoplasty: Men looking to achieve a fresher, more youthful appearance often choose an Eyelid Lift, also known as blepharoplasty.  The procedure removes excess fat, skin and muscle from the eyelids, and many men find that it takes years off their appearance.
  • Facelift: Facelift Surgery continues to be one of the most popular and effective cosmetic surgeries among men today.  During a facelift, we tighten underlying muscles and redrape the skin around the neck and face.
  • Rhinoplasty: One of the most time-tested cosmetic procedures is Nose Surgery, or “rhinoplasty.”  This procedure is most commonly used to enhance a nose that appears too large on the face, has a bump on the nasal bridge, seems too wide or appears crooked.

Find Out if Plastic Surgery is Right for You

To learn more about these or any of the services offered at our Plastic Surgery Clinic, be sure to contact us and schedule a consultation.  We have locations in Montvale, NJ, Pearl River, NY and SOHO, NYC.  Book your appointment today at 845-623-6141.  We look forward to hearing from you.

 

Allure Magazine Answers FAQs of BOTOX®

Tuesday, March 27th, 2012

By now, we’ve all heard of BOTOX®, the powerful wrinkle treatment and the number one cosmetic procedure in the US.  While we all know that BOTOX can work to prevent wrinkles, many patients still have questions.  Beauty magazine, Allure, recently published some of the frequently asked questions about this cutting-edge treatment.  Read on to learn more about what to expect from BOTOX Injections.

BOTOX Questions and Answers

BOTOX, for those that aren’t sure, is part of a category of cosmetic treatments called Botulinum Toxin Type A.  Essentially, these types of treatments act as muscle relaxers that prevent facial creases.  While that part is clear to most people, there are still questions left to be answered.

Here are a few questions borrowed from the Allure article along with our thoughts on the matter:

  • “Will BOTOX make me feel numb or look frozen?” One of the biggest concerns with BOTOX is patients wanting a natural look.  When administered correctly and conservatively, we can often achieve not only a rejuvenating look, but a natural look as well.  And, since BOTOX should not affect the nerves that cause sensation, patients worried about facial numbness can breathe a little easier.
  • “Does BOTOX hurt?” As with any injection, BOTOX can be somewhat uncomfortable.  Compared to dermal fillers, BOTOX uses a smaller needle, and many patients are surprised how little discomfort they experience from the procedure.  We can also offer topical anesthetics to numb the area before treatment.
  • “What is the ideal age to start using BOTOX?” There’s no simple answer to this question.  To quote Allure, “You don’t need it before you have wrinkles to hide.”  BOTOX is a procedure aimed at making you look younger; many patients don’t ask for BOTOX before their late 30s and 40s.
  • “How long does BOTOX last?” As with any cosmetic procedure, individual results will vary.  In general, however, the effects of BOTOX can often last up to four months.  Though  not a permanent solution, BOTOX can often rejuvenate the face and take year’s off the appearance.

Schedule a BOTOX Consultation Today

To learn more about BOTOX or any of the procedures offered at our Plastic Surgery Clinic, be sure to contact us today.  We have offices in in Montvale, NJ, Pearl River, NY and SOHO, NYC.  Speak with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon—schedule your consultation at 845-623-6141.

 

Putting Your Best Face Forward this Spring

Friday, March 23rd, 2012

Looking outside today, spring is most definitely in the air.  We all know spring is a season of new beginnings–have you considered giving your face a fresh new start?  Spring is the time we’re getting out, hitting the streets and enjoying the warmer weather.  It’s also the time of year everyone sees us more.  Think about putting your best face forward with a few minimally-invasive procedures for freshening up and looking your best.

Top Springtime Cosmetic Procedures

The spring season is certainly upon us—look your best!  Here are the top springtime procedures to help you freshen up:

  • Laser skin resurfacing: If you’re looking to keep your face “springy’ this season, consider Laser Skin Resurfacing.  As we age, the natural collagen in our face begins to diminish and skin may sag and droop. Laser treatments can rejuvenate the skin, combating wrinkles, sun damage, crow’s feet and other signs of the aging process.
  • BOTOX®/Dysport®: BOTOX and Dysport Injections represent the largest category of cosmetic treatments throughout the US.  These Botulinum Toxin Type A procedures are fantastic “quick fixes” to get ready for warmer weather.  These injectables are essentially muscle relaxers that work to prevent intermittent creases from forming in the skin.  While they’re not permanent solutions, the results of BOTOX and Dysport can often last up to several months.
  • HydraFacial™: HydraFacial is the cutting-edge “hydradermabrasion” procedure.  You can think of this MediSpa procedure as a moisture-rich version of traditional microdermabrasion.  Instead of using tiny rough particles, HydraFacial drenches the skin in serums, and exfoliates with its special spiral tip.  It’s a simple procedure with big results!

Freshen Up this Season

To schedule your springtime consultation, contact us today.  We have locations in Montvale, NJ, Pearl River, NY and SOHO, NYC. Consultations can be scheduled at 845-623-6141.  We look forward to working with you.

 

Male Job Seekers Turning to Plastic Surgery

Tuesday, March 20th, 2012

People undergo cosmetic surgery for many different reasons—to improve self esteem, to address a cosmetic flaw.  In today’s world, more men are going under the knife for a reason that may surprise you.  NBC affiliate, KSDK, is reporting on the growing trend of men seeking out cosmetic treatment to stay competitive in the job market.  The station sought the opinion of an area plastic surgeon who explained that “If people are concerned about job retention, if you look around the table and you feel like you’re the oldest, sleepiest looking one, perhaps, from your facial expression changes–we can do things for that.”

The stigma of male plastic surgery is definitely a thing of the past, and according to KSDK, “Eyebrow lifts and procedures to create a more youthful facial appearance are some of the most popular surgeries for men looking to keep a competitive advantage on the job front.”  Read on to learn about some of the other cosmetic procedures that men are turning to today.

Popular Male Plastic Surgery Procedures

When it comes to treating men, often the number-one concern is looking natural.  That is, appearing as if no work has been done at all.  With today’s modern cosmetic techniques, we can help you achieve a more refreshed, youthful appearance, while still maintaining your natural masculine looks.  Here are a few of the most popular cosmetic procedures among men.

Top Cosmetic Treatments for Men:

  • BOTOX®: BOTOX, the most popular cosmetic procedure in the US, is essentially a muscle relaxer that works to prevent intermittent facial creases.
  • Eyelid lift: Eyelid Surgery—also known as blepharoplasty—is a surgical procedure used to treat eyelids that have drooped or sagged with age.  The procedure removes excess fat, skin and muscle from the eyelids, and many men find that it takes years off their appearance.
  • Laser resurfacing: Laser Resurfacing is an effective way to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage and more.

Schedule a Consultation Today

Gain your competitive edge—contact us today and schedule a consultation!  We have offices in Montvale, NJ, Pearl River, NY and SOHO, NYC.  Book your appointment at 845-623-6141.  We look forward to working with you.

 

Surgeon Gives Daughter, 18, Birthday Breast Implants

Thursday, March 15th, 2012

In today’s world, it’s not uncommon for women to choose Breast Augmentation Surgery to enhance their looks and boost confidence.  It is, however, uncommon to do so at the tender age of 18.  What’s even more uncommon is when your father is the surgeon.  ABC News is reporting on the California plastic surgeon who gave his daughter the gift of surgery for her birthday.  “Dr. Michael Niccole…gave his daughter Brittani, now 23, breast implants when she was 18,” reports ABC News.  “Brittani also had a rhinoplasty.”  And,  she’s not the only daughter who went under the knife.  According to ABC, “Niccole performed surgery on his daughter Charm, now also 23, when she was 10 to turn her ‘outtie’ belly button into an ‘innie.’”

While most 20-somethings don’t have cosmetic treatment on their radar, ABC reports that “Both Brittani and Charm also receive regular injections of [BOTOX®] to prevent wrinkles and undergo other cosmetic procedures.”  This growing trend of teen cosmetic procedures is somewhat disconcerting.  Plastic surgery is real surgery and can’t be taken lightly.  Whether patients are emotionally mature at that age is certainly subject to debate.  Is 18 too young to have breast augmentation and BOTOX®?  Was this appropriate?

How Young is Too Young?

There are, of course, circumstances that warrant a teen to undergo plastic surgery.  Simply put, plastic surgery can be a life-changing, confidence-boosting experience.  But, how young is too young?  It all comes down to maturity.  While the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) takes no official stand on plastic surgery for teenagers, they do say this:

“The ASPS advises parents to evaluate the teenager’s physical and emotional maturity and believes that individual cases merit careful evaluation under the guidance of a plastic surgeon certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery.”

What’s most important is understanding the potential benefits, risks and limitations of plastic surgery.  And, as always, make sure you’re dealing with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.

Plastic Surgeon in New York and New Jersey

To learn more about plastic surgery or any of the services offered at out Plastic Surgery Offices, contact us today.  We have locations in Montvale, NJ, Pearl River, NY and SOHO, NYC. Consultations can be scheduled at 845-623-6141.

 

How You Sleep Affects How You Look

Tuesday, March 13th, 2012

We all know that adequate sleep is good for our overall health, but did you ever consider how sleep position can affect your appearance?  CBS affiliate, WCCO, reports on the way that sleep position can contribute to facial wrinkles, leaving many people to ask, “Am I doing enough for my skin during the night?”  The station enlisted the expertise of an area dermatologist.  When asked if sleep position can cause wrinkles, he responded, “It absolutely can (cause wrinkles) over time… If you fold a piece of paper enough times you get an etched crease there.”

Gender plays a role, too.  “Men tend to sleep on their stomachs and they tend to get wrinkles on [their] foreheads,” reports WCCO. “Women tend to be side-sleepers and they get more wrinkles on their cheeks.”  When it comes to wrinkle prevention during the night, the doctor suggested that sleeping on your back or varying sleep positions were probably the best bet.  Of course, sleep position isn’t the only thing that contributes to wrinkles.  Read on to learn a few ways modern medicine deals with combating creases.

Cosmetic Wrinkle Treatments

Board Certified Plastic Surgeons have a long tradition of helping patients improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  Although a natural part of the aging process, facial creases can make you look old, tired and ultimately, harm your self esteem.

Here are a few of the ways we treat wrinkles today:

  • BOTOX®: BOTOX is essentially a muscle relaxer that works to prevent facial wrinkles and achieve a fresher, more youthful appearance.  This treatment works best for lines that are intermittent, such as “frown lines.”  For creases that are deeper and always visible, dermal fillers are often a better bet
  • Fillers: Dermal fillers like JUVÉDERM® and Restylane® work by filling in the “valleys” of creases.  Some soft tissue fillers can also restore the face to a more youthful shape.
  • Chemical peels: One of the best ways to “wake up” and rejuvenate the face is with a Chemical Peel.  Beyond reducing the appearance of wrinkles, peels can often improve skin tone and texture.

Schedule a Consultation Today

To learn more about these or any of the wrinkle treatments we offer, contact us today.  Our offices are located in Montvale, NJ, Pearl River, NY and SOHO, NYC.  Schedule your consultation at 845-623-6141.  We look forward to working with you.

 

New You Mag Asks, “What Makes a Beautiful Nose?”

Wednesday, March 7th, 2012

In years past, rhinoplasty was a remarkably aggressive procedure that dramatically altered the size and shape of the nose.  While that may have been en vogue at the time, it certainly isn’t today.  This week, New You Magazine reports on the growing trend of natural-looking rhinoplasty, asking the question, “What makes a beautiful nose?”

When cosmetic nose surgery first entered the world stage, the goal was simple: create a small, perfectly symmetrical nose.  As the standard of beauty evolved, plastic surgeons began to understand that each patient is different and has unique cosmetic goals.  “A good result in contemporary aesthetic rhinoplasty is a refined, natural-appearing nose,” reports New You.  “The artistic imperative is to achieve results that integrate personality, ethnicity and aesthetic design.”  Natural-looking results have become the new standard of beauty.

Gender also plays a huge role.  When it comes to male patients, the goal is often to create a “strong” nose.  As New You puts it, “A man’s nose should project confidence, balanced with the chin and profile.”  With men, a natural-looking appearance is even more important.  The goal is not to perfect one’s appearance, but to enhance it.  In the end, it’s all about creating the nose that’s right for you!  Now read on to learn more about the Rhinoplasty Procedure and how it can be custom-tailored to fit your needs.

The Rhinoplasty Procedure

It is no secret that the nose is one of the most prominent features of the human face.  Thankfully, when patients are dissatisfied with the shape or size of their nose, nose reshaping can often be of help.  During a rhinoplasty consultation, we will sit down to discuss your cosmetic goals: Is your nose too big or too small?  Do you have a bump on your nose or some other irregularity?  What is your ideal nose shape? The consultation is our time to create your customized treatment plan.

Rhinoplasty is usually an outpatient procedure performed under IV sedation or general anesthesia.  During treatment,  incisions are made and the bone and cartilage are sculpted to the desired shape. The entire procedure generally lasts one to two hours.  Interested?  Take the first step–schedule an appointment today.

Rhinoplasty Consultation

To learn more about Rhinoplasty or any of the other services offered at out Plastic Surgery Clinics, contact us today and schedule a consultation.  We have locations in Montvale, NJ, Pearl River, NY and SOHO, NYC.  Book your appointment at 845-623-6141.

 

FaceTime Facelift | Surgery to Use Your Cell Phone?

Monday, March 5th, 2012

In the past, we’ve seen software developers create apps for plastic surgery, but now, one doctor is performing plastic surgery for an app!   FaceTime is a video calling app for devices like the iPhone and iPad that utilizes a front-facing camera to chat.  This week, Gizmodo is reporting on what one doctor is calling his “FaceTime Facelift.”  The tech blog quotes the surgeon, Dr. Robert Sigal, as saying, “Patients come in with their iPhones and show me how they look on FaceTime … The angle at which the phone is held, with the caller looking downward into the camera, really captures any heaviness, fullness and sagging of the face and neck.”

Some people are criticizing this type of treatment, going so far as to call it predatory.  Gizmodo writes that you can’t just blame technology here, but “you have to include … this horribly-enabling doctor who seems to think FaceTime Body Dysmorphia is a condition worth treating with surgery.”  Whether or not this procedure will actually gain traction, it certainly starts an interesting question on the right and wrong reasons to choose plastic surgery.

The Right and Wrong Reason for Choosing Plastic Surgery

The Right Reasons for Exploring Plastic Surgery: In their Physicians Guide to Plastic Surgery, The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) list some characteristics of good plastic surgery candidates.  First and foremost, the patient should have “realistic expectations of the surgery itself.”  This is vitally important to patient satisfaction.  Furthermore, the ASPS says that patients should have “a good self-image, but a concern about a bothersome feature or a moderately diminished self-image due to the cosmetic defect.”  Plastic surgery is not a panacea, and it shouldn’t be taken lightly.  All in all, a good candidate should have realistic—and specific—cosmetic goals.

The Wrong Reasons for Exploring Plastic Surgery: The ASPS also outlines some “red flags” to watch out for when patients are seeking cosmetic treatment.  “Unrealistic expectations of lifestyle/career/relationship effects,” are one of the biggest issues.  Although plastic surgery can be a confidence-boosting, life changing experience, it will not correct every problem in your life.  Similarly, patients with “an obsession with a very minor defect,” may also find themselves dissatisfied.  Plastic surgery is all about enhancing your appearance—not perfecting it.

Is Plastic Surgery Right for You?

To find out if you’re a candidate for Plastic Surgery, contact us today.  We have offices in in Montvale, NJ, Pearl River, NY and SOHO, NYC.  Speak with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon—schedule your consultation at 845-623-6141.

 

IBTimes Reports on Lohan’s New “Pillow Face”

Thursday, March 1st, 2012

Lindsay Lohan has done a lot lately to shed her party-girl image.  Today, the International Business Times is asking, did Lindsay also do a lot—to her face?  Lohan, who has become known more for her criminal record than her acting, sat down with Matt Lauer to explain that her partying days are behind her.  What was more surprising, however, was how she looked.

“Fans could not help but notice how drastically different the actress’ face looked,” reports the IBTimes.  “Skeptics took to Twitter to voice their critiques on Lohan’s new look and bring up the possibility of plastic surgery.”  The paper then sought the opinion of a plastic surgeon who was quoted as saying, “‘She looks like she has had an excessive amount of filler injected in her face…’”

So, while cosmetic treatments like injectable fillers can make many patients look younger and fresher, they can absolutely be taken too far.

Natural Looking Injections

Why do countless women and men opt for injectables every year?  The answer is simple—they work!  Based on the most recent data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, BOTOX® and Fillers are the number one category when it comes to cosmetic procedures in the US.   As with all cosmetic treatments, though, moderation is key.  It’s all about achieving a natural, refreshed and beautiful look.

The two major categories of injections:

Botulinum Toxin Type A: Botulinum Toxin Type A is a category that includes BOTOX® and Dysport®.  Both are essentially muscle relaxers that work to prevent creases from forming in the skin.  These treatments work best on lines that appear intermittently, such as “frown lines.”  For wrinkles that are deeper or more persistent, fillers are often the better option.

Dermal Fillers: Dermal fillers like JUVÉDERM® and Restylane® work to fill in the spaces or “valleys” of creases.  Certain fillers can also be used to plump the lips and give the face a more youthful shape.

Achieve Natural Plastic Surgery Results

To learn more about wrinkle treatments or any of the other services offered at our Plastic Surgery Offices, be sure to contact us today.  We have locations in Montvale, NJ, Pearl River, NY and SOHO, NYC.  Book your appointment at 845-623-6141.

BOTOX®