New Yorkers Want New Noses, In LA Its The Lips

As MSNBC reported earlier this week, people in New York are more often to contemplate rhinoplasty cosmetic surgery than folks in other cities like Chicago, Miami, or Denver. In LA the desire is to puff up the lips using injections like Restylane.

To add detail to these regional search trends for cosmetic treatments, we’ve looked deeper at additional cities across the country – Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Seattle -- to see what their residents are most interested in potentially nipping and tucking.

One surprise finding from looking at the RealSelf.com search data from last quarter was the fact that breast implants did not make the top 10 for any of the cities we reviewed – not even in 90210. America’s most popular plastic surgery is clearly feeling the impact of the recession. 

But not all costly procedures are lacking interest...discover what cosmetic makeovers people are seeking in:

» Read more

Top 10 Cosmetic Surgery Interests In New York City

New Yorkers have a significantly higher interest in cosmetic surgery procedures for the face, especially nose jobs and eye lifts. That's the conclusion drawn from RealSelf.com search data from last quarter that looked at what New Yorkers research more often than people in other parts of the country.

The top 10 cosmetic surgery interests of New York also demonstrate a diverse set of desired cosmetic change, ranging from revision of facial features to removing unwanted fat. Yet, unlike Los Angeles which seems to be focused on smile improvement and plastic surgery alternatives, dental makeovers are lower on the wish list.

1. Rhinoplasty to reshape the nose

2. Eyelid Surgery to reduce "hooding" of eyelids

3. Scar removal typically to reduce acne scars or scars from injury

4. Sculptra to restore volume to sunken cheeks

5. Smart Lipo to laser lipo away unwanted fat in the flanks, abs, etc.

» Read more

10 Cosmetic Surgery Procedures Wanted In Los Angeles

Contrary to the media image that Los Angeles is obsessed with plastic surgery --fueled recently by the Heidi Montag media craze-- RealSelf.com search data from last quarter shows that LA cares mostly about cosmetic surgery alternatives.

Only one invasive plastic surgery procedure, facelifts, showed up in the top 10. Based on the top 10 cosmetic makeover interests of Los Angeles site visitors, you'll find that interest concentrates on augmenting a smile rather than chest size.

1. Lip augmentation to get plumper lips

2. Radiesse typically for filling facial folds, deep wrinkles

3. Scar removal often related to acne scars or surgery scars

4. Teeth whitening for bleaching stained teeth

5. IPL for skin rejuvenation

» Read more

Too Hip To Hire - Jobless In Seattle Just Want To Blend In

The newly unemployed look for an edge by erasing tattoos and fixing piercings

Conformists like me-- free of tattoos, piercings, or wallet chain--may take some solace that being an urban hipster is increasingly seen as a liability due to a 10% unemployment rate. 

According to medical practices in Seattle, a city that easily embraces alternative appearances, the jobless economic recovery is driving new demand for services that remove clear signs of coolness: ear gauges and tattoos.

Plugging the tortellini hole

A trend where twenty-somethings seek the urban cred of New York City bike messengers has led to a rise in bikes missing brakes as well as earlobes that are pierced and stretched.

These ear piercings are called ear gauges, which are often inserted in the discomfort of home. To my fellow not-so-hip audience: ear gauges are circular rings slipped into the fleshy earlobe, often exchanged in time for progressively larger diameters.

» Read more

Women Don't "love What U Have Got"

Quite contrary to the advice tweeted by @truthinaging to "love what u have got", in a survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of RealSelf.com found that a staggering 3 out of 4 (77%) ladies aged 18 to 34 noted they would get cosmetic work if money wasn't an issue. One in five of those women (19%) who are interested in cosmetic work want breast implants (likely c-cup or larger). 

The young ladies aren't alone -- 71% of women 45-54 would also choose to get work done if money wasn't an issue. However, women in that age group are far more likely to choose a tummy tuck (37%) than enhance their girls.

Kittens vs. Cougars

Top procedures for women 18-34

• Teeth whitening: 72%
• Hair removal: 39%
• Liposuction: 34%
• Breast implants: 24%

Top procedures for women 45-54

» Read more

In 2010 Americans Want Whiter Teeth, Tight Abs Vs. Botox

For 2010 Americans dream of cosmetic makeovers that tighten abs and leave a brighter smile, rather than those that erase worry lines and lift sagging facial features.

A poll of 2,227 U.S. adults released today by Harris Interactive on behalf of RealSelf.com found that more than half of all adults (54%) would choose cosmetic work if money wasn’t a concern, and of those who would have work done, the majority (52%) would choose teeth whitening, followed by tummy tuck surgery and liposuction. Not surprisingly, a majority of women (67%), as well as 40% of men said they would also have cosmetic work done.

Few cite Botox to get rid of Unwanted Wrinkles

In spite of being the most popular cosmetic procedure in the World, just 6% of the survey respondents who would choose cosmetic treatments indicated a desire to get Botox to treat face wrinkles. However the number rises to 15% among women aged 45-54.

Laser skin treatments, which are often used for anti-aging or skin rejuvenation, rank slightly higher – 13% of those who would get cosmetic work noted they would choose this treatment, and one-fifth (20%) of people in the West would use lasers to improve their skin.

» Read more

Stop The Bo-Tax With A Simple Phone Call

Guest Post
by Phil Haeck, MD
Dr. Haeck is a board-certified Plastic Surgeon who has practiced cosmetic and reconstructive surgery in Seattle for over 20 years.  He serves as the President-Elect for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

For Christmas our United States Senators decided to give themselves a $6 Billion dollar present, all wrapped up and delivered in the name of Health Care Reform. That’s the dollar amount our elected officials calculated they could grab out of your and my pockets by taxing 5% on all things cosmetic.

There are 3 reasons to take a moment now and call 1-877-221-8207. That’s the number that routes you to your US Senators where you can say “Stop the Bo-tax”, you already pay enough taxes.

#1 Bo-taxes don’t add up

This concept is not new folks. New Jersey has the dubious reputation of being the only one of eight states to look at this and actually enact it into law. And what did the other states do?

» Read more

Hollywood Celebs Have A Super Botox Secret?

A Hollywood actress' skin can look flawless and stunning--even after the age of 50! A RealSelf community member recently asked for the secret to celebrity wrinkle free skin. Specifically, what are actresses doing to get wrinkle free under eyes. Do the stars have some form of "Super Botox" that enables smiling without creating wrinkles?

Apparently not. The medical experts at RealSelf have shared a number of tips:

» Read more

Injecting L'Oreal Serum Into Your Face - Why Would This Happen?

A pattern we see --and wish would go away-- is the self-injection of illegal, inappropriate or unknown materials used to plump lips, butt, or face.

We've read terrible butt augmentation stories, received pleas for help to remove injectable substances and seen requests for advice on self-administering Restylane. This week a site visitor posted the veritable icing on the cake: "I injected a L'oreal skin product into my face".

Why are people self-injecting?

It's hard to explain. Perhaps we're seeing a sign of the down economy, where self-injecting is viewed as a money saver. Greater accessibility is another theory; it's getting easier for contaminated materials to get into the public's hands (with disasterous side effects). This theory has merit:

» Read more

Skip The Doctor When Getting Botox?

In a bid to garner publicity for a skin care line, Dallas-based esthetician Renée Rouleau recently promoted her blog entry, Getting Botox? Schedule it With the Nurse, Not the Doctor.

When asked about this skip-the-doctor advice, leading Dermatologist Ranella Hirsch, M.D. expressed surprise. Dr. Hirsch commented by email:

"As it was expert dermatologists who pioneered, cultivated, and continue to advance the science of Botulinum injections, it seems in a patient's best interest to find an experienced one to both optimize the safety and results of this medical procedure."

Rouleau postulates in her post that "no matter who it is" you can get natural-looking Botox results as long as the injector has "a lot of experience." Dr. Hirsch counters, "Respectfully, 'who it is' most certainly does matter when it comes to your face."

» Read more

Bottom 10 Cosmetic Procedures In The RealSelf Worth It Index

Earlier today we posted about the Top 20 cosmetic procedures according to our Worth It index and rating scale. 

» Read more

20 Highest Rated Cosmetic Surgery Procedures

There is no return policy in cosmetic surgery. Unlike a bad purchase decision during your last vacation or misguided selection of a restaurant for your date night out, you can very rarely brush off a bad cosmetic treatment experience and hope for better luck next time.

The cosmetic changes we pursue from plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and dentists are designed to be long-lasting; and that's a good thing because many procedures are expensive, involve recovery time, and carry some inherent risks. Of course, the ultimate downside and fear is the botched job. Done wrong, you physical appearance may be permanently altered in an unfavorable way.

RealSelf.com has designed its community around reducing the unknown by empowering people to openly share their unbiased opinion and experiences with a cosmetic treatment.

» Read more

Claim Check: The Botox Boob Job

The Claim: Botox lifts Breasts

A posting today by a RealSelf.com community member appears to have been inspired by The Mail article: Botox for breasts: New treatment helps women lift sagging cleavage.

They ask the RealSelf doctor community for more information about breast injections.

The Mail's reporter asserts that the Botox breast lift is a breast implant alternative where "Injections of Botox into the bust tighten sagging cleavage" which gives mothers a new perk to their breasts. Furthermore, it adds:

It is the 21st century solution for new mothers desperate to look their best for a party or wedding...With the treatment taking just half an hour, it is proving popular with busy young mothers who don't have time to go under the knife...

» Read more

Brooke Shields Latisse Advertising Slammed By Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports slams Latisse and the Brooke Shields ad that's been then center of the $14.5M Latisse advertising campaign.

With 88% of our readers saying Latisse is "worth it", do you think the Consumer Reports video lacks balance? 

» Read more

Johnson & Johnson Kills Evolence, Cosmetic Wrinkle Filler

A division of Johson & Johnson, Ortho Dermatologics, sent out notice (below) that Evolence--a wrinkle filler--was being taken off the market and the product is up for sale. The Ortho website for Evolence is said to be "under construction." 

Evolence has failed to gain traction in a market crowded with alternatives like Restylane and Juvederm. On RealSelf.com patients have complained about Evolence results more than any comparable wrinkle treatment, with 35% saying Evolence was "worth it."

The most recent Evolence posting by a patient complained about lumps:

"Ughh...I am so scared. Had two syringes of Evolence injected 4 days ago (nasolabial folds) and I have a hard bumpy line on one side with redness and the other side looks maybe 25% better but with red bumps...and it still hurts. I am feeling very disappointed and worried that those bumps and lumps will stay...I don't look better at all!!!"

» Read more