Cosmetic treatments blog posts and news

Lifestyle Lift Slammed For Deceptive And Illegal Posting By NY AG -- And How RealSelf Protects Our Community

Earlier today, the New York state Attorney General announced it fined Lifestyle Lift, the "facial-firming" mini-lift company, $300,000 for posting fake consumer reviews on the Internet.

Lifestyle Lift is actively discussed on RealSelf, with one million visits made to RealSelf.com content related to the treatment in the past year by both previous patients and those considering the plastic surgery procedure. With over 180 reviews of LifeStyle Lift, 36% of past patients felt the procedure was worth it.  

The Attorney General accused Lifestyle Lift of tricking consumers "into believing that satisfied customers were posting their own stories" about the product. This deception, said the AG, constituted "deceptive commercial practices, false advertising, and fraudulent and illegal conduct" under New York and federal laws.

Last year, Lifestyle Lift and RealSelf settled two lawsuits, one a trademark infringement claim by Lifestyle Lift, and the other a counter-claim by RealSelf based on this same issue of fake postings.

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Claim Check: Tummy Tightening Without Surgery

The Claim: You can tighten your tummy and erase stretch marks -- without surgery

The Background: Alternatives to tummy tuck surgery -- cheaper, without scarring, and quick recovery time  -- certainly sound compelling. There are no shortage of clinics that tout “no downtime” using new technology with names like "ThermaFrax."

A check on the claim that surgery alternatives can make a big difference to the belly came to RealSelf by way of Los Angeles community member "Catcat" who states she "doesn't want scars" when asking about an alternative to a full tummy tuck.

The Reality: No matter what the promises made by clinics or products, the fact remains: "If we could figure out how to make skin contract like shrink wrap without incisions, we wouldn't have to perform forehead lifts, face lifts, midface lifts, eye lifts, breast lifts, tummy tucks or thigh lifts," according to Otto Placik, a Chicago Plastic Surgeon. Catcat learned from our docs that, when it comes to stomach tightening alternatives to tummy tuck surgery, exercise may be the only answer.

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Natrelle Breast Implant Kit -- Try This Only At Home

Allergan has assembled a breast implant sizing kit for women who are curious about breast implants but have concerns about implant size. 

Just fork over $40 and they'll send you a lovely box containing four water-filled sizers and a stack of promotional materials, including $50 rebates for Juvederm and Botox, and a $20 rebate for Latisse.

So, in the interests of good investigative journalism, we ordered the Natrelle Pre-Consultation Kit, and immediately found it odd that there was one each of four different sizes -- so you can try them on but you end up lopsided, and they'd look a little silly out to dinner.

April, RealSelf's content director, volunteered to test the kit -- literally, taking two (at a time) for the team.

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Golfer's Mom And Wife Battle Breast Cancer -- What's Next?

According to reports, golf legend Phil Mickelson just learned that his mother Mary has breast cancer, not two months after his wife Amy was diagnosed with her own breast cancer. Amy Mickelson has already had surgery for the cancer at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and Mary Mickelson will do so shortly.

Many RealSelf users have faced breast cancer in their own lives, and our doctors have provided plenty of thoughtful responses to their questions:

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Nipping Out -- Feminine Freedom Or Fashion Faux Pas?

Did Victoria Beckham set off a new fashion trend in designer nipples? That's right, rather than cover or hide protruding nipples, the idea is to make them really stand out.

Posh Spice's outward display has the UK press speculating whether she has indeed enhanced her nipples.

Some suggest her protruding nipples are stick on nipples (inspired by Samantha from Sex and the City) vs. surgical augmentation.

We're wondering (yes, channeling Carrie Bradshaw here): are women who choose to accentuate their areolas making a sexy, liberating statement, or simply a fashion faux pas?

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RealBuzz (And We Do Mean Buzz): Is Botox OK For, Like, Stoners?

As you know, RealSelf's doctors give you all their wisdom when you want and need it. And sometimes they even flex their comedic muscles, especially when they're asked, as user Praying Anon did recently,

Can I get Botox if I'm a heavy pot smoker? 

The good news for Tommy Chong: Our docs say there's no reason a bong and Botox won't mix, though, as Dr. Christopher Hess of Fairfax, Va., puts it, "You need to be free of all THC prior to consenting to Botox treatment." Dr. William Rosenblatt of Manhattan is even more, well, blunt about it, asking, "Medically there is no reason you could not have Botox, but if you are stoned all the time why would you care?"

But the truly high-larious response comes from L.A.'s Dr. Michael Persky, who advises, "Just make sure that your injector is not sharing your pipe/bong with you. The munchies will help keep you from losing volume in your face, which should help keep you looking younger. Be well and pass the Oreos."

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Botox Passing Rebates Onto Consumers, Rolls Out Limited Time $50 To $100 Back

Ever noticed a doctor advertise they're a Botox "platinum plus" or "diamond" provider? This distinction has nothing to do with Botox skills, and everything to do with buying and selling Botox to consumers.

Doctors achieve status with Allergan by getting points for every Botox vial they purchase. The levels range from "silver" all the way up to diamond.  Rumors are Allergan is working on a super premium category for their ultra-important practices.

Besides a framed certificate and bragging rights, high Botox volume medical practices also get benefits like doctor finder listings on the Botox Cosmetic website, media training and support, as well as a lab coats that say Botox, Botulinum Toxin Type A.

Botox rebates to the doctor

The incentive most important to medical practices are rebates. We've been told some offices can receive up to 9% rebates (annually) plus 10 to 15 "bonus" vials per quarter.  That is, they get a check back from Allergan as well as free Botox that can be then marked up to regular prices. For the wrinkle filler Juvederm the rebate checks can be even more generous. Our sources tell us the rebate can be as high as 20%, and 1 free box (2 syringes are in each Juvederm box) for every 5 purchased from Allergan.

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What Doctors Pay For Botox: Historical Botox Pricing

Prior to the slowing economy and rise of new competition (i.e. Dysport), Allergan has exercised incredible pricing power with Botox. 

Based on data furnished to RealSelf, from 1998 to 2008 Allergan price increases for Botox exceeded the rate of inflation 9 out of 11 years.

Since 1997, the cost of Botox moved up $190 to $525 per vial, or 57%.  If Botox prices were only adjusted with inflation, the same vial would price out at $447.  The price per unit (paid by the doctor) has climbed from $3.35 to $5.25. Botox vials hold 100 units.

Here's a table showing the historical cost of Botox to doctors (most doctors markup about 2X):

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RealBuzz: Could Plastic Surgery Help Me Quit Smoking?

Yes, some people still smoke cigarettes -- but plastic surgery just might be one way to help them dump the habit for good. In one of the livelier and most thought-provoking Q&As on RealSelf, our doctors help answer the question,

How do plastic surgeons feel about operating on patients who smoke?

RealSelf's MDs, like Bellevue, Washington's Dr. Richard P. Rand, say it's "imperative" prospective patients kick the habit "a month after and a month before" they go under the knife. Dr. Athleo Louis Cambre in L.A. explains that for facelifts, breast lifts and reductions, and tummy tucks, smoking causes "constriction of ... small blood vessels [under the skin] as well as reduced oxygen carrying capacity," which can have "catastrophic" effects because of the "diminished blood flow."

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Tattoo Removal Creams Can't Help This Girl -- And They Can't Help You

Remember this Belgian teenager who got 56 stars tattooed on her face and then lied about how it happened? She's probably wishing something -- anything -- could help those stars disappear. So how about a tattoo cream?

A couple of our regular contributors -- consumer safety guru Marie Czenko Kuechel and Virginia Beach dermatologist Dr. Arnold R. Oppenheim -- say no way. Marie tells a RealSelf member that tattoo removal creams are "unsafe, high doses of prescriptive chemical that will burn your skin and cause significant scaring in the least, and potentially skin loss." And Dr. Oppenheim adds, "It would create a scar far uglier than the tattoo."

If all else fails, maybe Kimberley Vlaminck can claim it was a gang initiation thing -- and get them removed for free.

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