Joan Collins - Plastic Surgery and New Anti-Aging Cream

74 year old Joan Collins is the spokesperson for a new anti-aging cream, called Cellex-C Age-less 15 Skin Signaling Serum. According to reports, she has been less than kind when discussing plastic surgery:

The Dynasty star denied having plastic surgery, claiming lipstick was her secret weapon in the fight against aging. She said: "The most glamorous thing you can do is use lipstick."Joan - who last year revealed her top tips for staying young in her book 'The Art Of Living Well' - has previously made her position on surgery abundantly clear, and recently described Botox as "poison". She said: "Everyone should do what they want. If they want lips like a trout let them. Plastic surgery is the plain women's revenge."

I find her comments offensive. I have never seen a 74 year old look as good as she does without plastic surgery. That must be one heck of an anti-aging cream. Apparently it is the actual Fountain of Youth that civilization has searched for for thousands of years!

Story credit: thebosh.com
Photo credit: photorazzi.com

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

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Deborah Harry Admits to Plastic Surgery

According to Starpulse.com, singer Debbie Harry has admitted to having plastic surgery for 'business reasons.'

She says, "Everybody knows that I've had plastic surgery. I did it for business reasons. You photograph better, and looks are a key part of being an entertainer, so I felt it was something I had to do. All sorts of horrific things happen in life - why make it worse by worrying about getting older?

From the looks of things, it appears she's had a possible upper and lower blepharoplasty, facelift, and skin rejuvenation with lasers and/or chemical peels. In this photo (all made up) she looks pretty good.

photo credit: photorazzi.com

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

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Breast Augmentation is #1

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons recently released their plastic surgery statistics for the year 2006. For the first time ever, breast augmentation was the top cosmetic plastic surgery performed. Last year 329,000 people underwent breast augmentation surgery, up from 291,000 the year before. Liposuction, last year's number one, drops to #3, with rhinoplasty at #2.

Why is breast augmentation #1? Could it be:

Ivanka Trump having a breast augmentation? No, that appeared to happen in December or January.

Maybe it's because of people inspired by the woman who had a breast implant save her from the shrapnel of a Hizbollah rocket? Cool story, but I doubt it.

Could it be because of Jodie Marsh? God, no.

It's likely that the increasing number of women having breast augmentation is partially due to the strong economy (in everywhere but here in Michigan) and the fact that silicone gel implants were approved by the FDA in November. These implants are so superior to the saline implants in appearance and feel that I am now finding more women opting for these implants over saline implants, which are considerably less expensive and have been the standard in North America for 14 years (although outside North America are somewhat rarely used).

Back in 1992, when the silicone gel implants were banned by the FDA for widespread use, the ASPS reported only 32,600 breast augmentations performed for the year. This has now increased over 10-fold. Why is this? I believe one major factor is the vast improvement in quality of breast augmentation surgeries today. In the past, plastic surgeons often placed smaller, older style silicone gel implants on top of the muscle, using larger scars. This often created breasts which were hard, scarred, and unrealistic-appearing (sometimes as common as 70% of the time). The newer techniques utilize shorter scars and somewhat larger implants whch are often placed below the chest muscle. This usually creates a softer, more realistic breast.

With more and more silicone gel implants being used this year, I expect the numbers of breast augmentation surgeries to increase significantly from 2006 to 2007. We may see more and more celebrities having breast augmentation surgery as well, as the surgery continues to become more and more common.

For the ASPS statistics, visit plasticsurgery.org.

To view a video of breast augmentation I performed for Fox News, click here.

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

John Travolta wearing a wig?

Dlisted.com has this photo of John Travolta's wig. If you look closely you can see the lace work. Take that away and it looks fine!
Receding hair and baldness is a genetic trait. Don't worry, if you're 35 and have a full head of hair you are unlikely to lose it later on. Most men who go bald either get hair transplants (maybe Kevin Costner), a hairpiece (Andre Agassi's brother?) or just shave it all off (Andre Agassi and Bruce Willis). I only see the horseshoe combover look on older men who don't care how they look so much anymore...and Rudy Giuliani...

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Kelly Clarkson and Weight

Singer Kelly Clarkson has been in the news lately for her recently cancelled summer concert tour. She has also recently admitted to Cosmogirl magazine that as a high schooler she unfortunately battled bulimia.



Patients often ask me what weight they should be before having plastic surgery. I usually answer that when their weight is stable, that is the time to consider plastic surgery. While some physicians may disagree with me, I do not believe that everyone is made to weigh their 'ideal body weight.' I believe in a life of moderation: exercising a few days a week (not every day of the week) and eating healthy but also enjoying bad food every once in a while. It does no good for someone to go on a crash diet, lose 40-50 lbs, have plastic surgery, and then gain the weight back because they couldn't stay on that crash diet for long. I believe that surgery is best done when your weight is stable, you're off cigarettes, and you feel and are healthy.

So where does that leave Kelly Clarkson? I don't think she wants or needs plastic surgery, but she looks healthy and happy to me. Plus, she can really sing.

photo credit: photorazzi.com

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Mesotherapy articles

I get a lot of questions on mesotherapy, and its related techniques such as Lipodissolve. I do not perform this procedure but have been following it ever since I heard of it back during my year in Los Angeles (4 years ago). For those of you interested, here is a list of articles about mesotherapy, starting with the ones I recommend the most by the two main plastic surgery societies:

American Society of Plastic Surgeons article
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery article
My blog article
Wall Street Journal
U.S. News and World Report
New Beauty Magazine
Plastic Surgery 101 - Dr. Rob Oliver's posts

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Ali G talks to a Dr. C Everett Koop

Thanks to plasticized.com for the link to this funny video.

Tommy Lee

Motley Crue is in the news today because they are currently suing their former manager over claims he made drummer Tommy Lee look "lazy and incompetent," partially by advising Mr. Lee to appear on the reality shows "Tommy Lee Goes to College" and "Rock Star: Supernova." Whatever. What about singer Vince Neil and his VH1 reality show "Remaking Vince Neil"? Some of you may recall that this is the television special which showed Vince Neil getting a facelift and other facial plastic surgeries. I would think that this tarnished the band's reputation more than "Rock Star: Supernova."

As far as Tommy, he's looking a little rough these days. There aren't a lot of plastic surgeries I would recommend for him, but a transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty would be a nice one. This is a surgery where the bags of fat are removed from under the eyes using small incisions on the inside of the eyelid, hence no visible scars. Takes about an hour with little to no pain or bruising afterwards. It's take a good five to ten years off, and could make him look more like he was in his Dr. Feelgood and Heather Locklear days. Rock on.

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Breast Augmentation for Free - Ethically Wrong?

My Free Implants.com and a "Board-certified cosmetic surgeon" have gotten together to offer a free breast augmentation at Erotic LA, a three day sexuality and lifestyle exhibition to be held next week at the LA Convention Center. This is the second year in a row that they have had this contest.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons, which is the largest and most trusted plastic surgery organization in the world, considers it an ethical violation to give out plastic surgery as a contest without following specific ethical guidelines. According to their guidelines, a member is subject to discipline or explusion if:

The member participates in a charity raffle, fund raising event, contest or other promotion in which the prize is any procedure* or gift certificate or other document redeemable for all or part of the cost of a procedure*.

There are a number of other rules regarding contest participation that I won't bother going into here. As a board-certified plastic surgeon I am always fighting against the perception that plastic surgeons are unethical, money-grubbing crooks. Contests like this don't help us in showing the public that the vast majority of us are physicians who strive to be ethical and use our skills to make people's lives better. Do we benefit monetarily through this? Yes, and for some more than others. Is that all we care about? No. I can honestly say that the best part of my job is seeing happy patients after their surgery and going home feeling that I helped some people feel better about themselves. I feel very blessed to be able to have the career I do.

And no, this isn't b.s.

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Scary...

Wow, this is a photo that was presented on Dlisted.com. This is a good example of the statement: Just because you can do something (as a plastic surgeon) doesn't mean you should. Wonder if all three of them have the same surgeon?

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Hugh Hefner and Simon Cowell on Plastic Surgery

Two prominent male celebrities have recented commented on men having plastic surgery, with vastly different opinions.
According to Hollyscoop.com, Hugh Hefner recently stated,
"I'm thinking of having a little face-lift. There is nothing wrong with plastic surgery. I think it is absolutely fine for men - I have already had teeth implants, and a few years ago I had a neck tuck. We are dealing with a whole different set of things physically now because we live so much longer."

A contrasting view was also recently stated by none other than Simon Cowell. According to the Post Chronicle, the American Idol judge recently stated,
"I wouldn't have plastic surgery, it looks ridiculous on guys. I'd never dye my hair either. Everyone thinks I do, but I never have. I do 100 press-ups before I get in the bath in the morning, then at work after a meeting, I'll shut the door and do more."

While I usually agree with Simon on his criticisms of American Idol contestants, I would have to disagree with him here. A good example of good male plastic surgery is Hugh Hefner, whose neckline a couple of years ago did look unnaturally sharp for a man his age. It does appear to have gotten looser over the last few years, however. I find this not to be too uncommon for people who have face or neck lifts in their 70's or 80's. Because the skin has lost its elasticity with age, the results don't last as long as someone in their 50's. Sorry Simon, I don't want to patronize you, but plastic surgery can look good in men if done well!

Photo credit: photorazzi.com

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

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Mickey Rourke and Plastic Surgery

Our friends at Celebrity Smack blog have done it again. A week or so ago they posted a very interesting photo chronology of Joan Rivers and her plastic surgery. Now they have done the same thing with Mickey Rourke. Where did things go wrong? I'd say around 1995?

Click here for the Evolution of Mickey Rourke.

Click here for my previous posts on Mickey Rourke.

Photo credit: getty images and photorazzi.com

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Ethics of Medical Blogs

There is an interesting article in today's Detroit Free Press about medical blogs and the ethics surrounding them. There are numerous physicians who have had their blogs shut down due to ethics violations. The question of ethics and this blog has always concerned me. While you can't please everyone, I hope that this blog is never considered "unethical."

For a link to the article, click here.

Thanks for reading.

Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Brooke Burke Looks Great!

Brooke Burke was recently photographed looking absolutely fantastic just six months after giving birth to a baby girl. It's amazing to me how some people's bodies can bounce back after having children (she's had three) while other people's bodies undergo changes which can only be reversed surgically. I do believe a lot of this is due to genetics, although other factors such as hydration, smoking, and amount of weight gain also may play a part.
Many of you know that she was married to a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, although I see no sign of a tummy tuck here!

photo credit: egotastic.com

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Courteney Cox banned from plastic surgery?

According to the Post Chronicle, David Arquette has banned his wife Courteney Cox from having plastic surgery. According to the article:

Former Friends star Courteney Cox is eager to undergo plastic surgery to slow down the signs of aging - but her husband David Arquette has banned her from doing so.
The 42-year-old actress gave birth to the couple's daughter Coco in 2004, and Cox is desperate to regain her pre-pregnancy figure with a little help from the surgeon's knife.
She says, "I have a permanent baby belly after having Coco and I have issues with getting older. I obsess over the changes. David has a huge problem with surgery, but I don't."

Ths photos I've seen of Courteney look pretty good. She probably wouldn't benefit much from a tummy tuck anyway. I've always wondered what she saw in him. Granted, he was once the WCW (World Championship Wrestling) Heavyweight champion, but still!

Photo credit: photorazzi.com

Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

The G Shot

I've been asked by the Fox News Channel to discuss The G Shot on America's Newsroom tomorrow at 9:30 am. The G Shot is a procedure originated by well-known Beverly Hills gynecologist Dr. David Matlock, which entails injecting collagen into the G-spot to increase its thickness and size. The belief is that this can enhance sexual arousal and graftification. According to Dr. Matlock's in-office study, 87% of women reported successful results. The procedure takes about 8 seconds (the time for the injection) and lasts about 4 months.

Now, I've never performed this procedure, and as a surgeon tend to stay away from this area of the body. I do have some colleagues in Beverly Hills who know Dr. Matlock very well and have only kind words about him as a person, surgeon, and his practice. While the information on this procedure is scant in our scientific literature, this would be expected with such a new procedure. It is an off-label use of the product, and therefore not FDA approved yet. From what I can tell though, the risks are minimal, and it is definitely possible it works.
But I am still going to avoid putting needles into that area...

For more information on the G Shot, check out this article from the San Francisco Chronicle or click here for Dr. Matlock's website.

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Heidi Montag Offered 1 Million Dollars by Playboy

In Touch Weekly is reporting that Heidi Montag has been offered One Million Dollars to pose her new plastic surgery body for Playboy Magazine. She had her surgery performed only two months ago, and it seems that the $7000 or so she paid for her breast augmentation has more than paid for itself!

For before and afters of Heidi Montag, click here.
Story credit: Cosmetic Makeovers
Photo credit: photorazzi.com

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Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.: