Festival Fun and Rhinoplasty

Festival season is here, so what does that mean for your rhinoplasty and how should you be careful?

DO: Wear SPF and a hat! Sun exposure, especially for prolonged periods, as it can increase the risk of sun damage, hyperpigmentation of scars, as well as sun spots! It is important to reapply sunblock or sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30 at least every two hours.

DO: Stay hydrated! Drink plenty of water or gatorade to prevent complications like heat injury.

DON’T: wear sunglasses if you are less than two months out from surgery as this can cause unwanted contour abnormalities in your DCF.

AVOID: Any trauma to the face. It’s easy for festival goers to jump around, fist pump, mosh pit, etc! It is important to have fun but always be aware of your surroundings.

Sporadic swelling can also occur with excessive sun exposure or working out (excessive exercise). If you are uncertain about how to treat your nose, call the office so that we can answer any additional questions.

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Am I a good candidate for under eye filler?

Under eye or tear trough filler is ideal for patients who have hollowing or darkening under the eyes. Typically patients are concerned that their under eyes give them the appearance of always “looking tired” and older. Dermal filler in these areas can bring back a more youthful and refreshed look.

It is important for these patients to have good skin thickness and elasticity as well. Results typically last between 9-12 months but may vary for each treatment. If there is excess skin, puffy bags, or fat bulging, surgery may be a better option for you. Book a consultation today to determine which treatment option is best for you!

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All about Non-Surgical Nose Job

#YOOnose Nonsurgical rhinoplasty by Dr. Donald B. Yoo is an excellent option for dorsal augmentation in a temporary fashion. Also in patients with medium to thin skin, it is possible to have a moderate degree of refinement created in the tip of the nose.

Non-Surgical Nose Job by Dr. Donald B. Yoo

Non-Surgical Nose Job can…
-Add voume and height
-Soften the appearance of the hump
-Make straighter profile
-Reversible and safe
-Give the illusion of narrower nose

Non-Surgical Nose Job cannot…
-Remove excess tissue
-Remove dorsal hump
-Narrow the width or flare of the nostrils

While the hyaluronic acid fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm are generally very safe, any filler treatment does come with certain risks. The most common risks are bruising and swelling.

Especially with the delicate blood supply to the nose, there is a risk of vascular complications. This makes it all the more important to find a rhinoplasty specialist experienced in nonsurgical rhinoplasty to reduce those risks.

The safest way to permanently straighten your nose is with surgery. I highly advise against using any permanent filler in the nose as it can create issues as you age. #drdonyoo #prettytoprettier

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Age like fine wine

As people age, skin changes are one of the first visible signs. Different variables affect how quickly the skin ages including genetics and medical diseases, as well as external factors such as sun exposure, weather, smoking, or daily facial movements. Skin cells produce less elastin and collagen with time, blood vessels become thinner, oil glands decrease in production, and fat layers become thinner. All of these changes cause the skin to lose elasticity, epidermis and dermis thinning, fragility, increasing roughness, bruising, as well as developing skin lesions more easily.

Additional changes include loss of fat in areas such as the cheeks, temples, chin, nose, and eyes which can create more hollowness in the face as well as loose skin. Cartilage and bone loss may also occur which can cause puckering of the mouth and drooping of bony accents on the face.

Although the fountain of youth is a myth, it is important to take care of your skin so that you may preserve what you can for as long as possible! Good prevention includes wearing sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day. Other cosmetic procedures may help the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles such as laser treatments (Picosure) as well as dermal filler for deeper set lines.

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Hanging on by a thread? Sew Amazing!

PDO threads, also known as Polydioxanone threads, are FDA approved and made of dissolvable suture material that the body can break down. They have been around since the 1980s and have been used in surgery for tissue approximation and wound closure. It typically takes about 6 months for the body to begin dissolving PDO threads. However, results can last about 1-2 years depending on each person. 

Thread lifts are a minimally invasive procedure that do not require large incisions or general anesthesia. The threads are strategically placed to help create a more defined and youthful appearance. PDO thread lift can be used to help with the appearance of sagging skin as well as promote the stimulation of collagen and neovascularization. This helps improve skin elasticity, texture, fine lines, and volume. Please consult with our PDO thread specialist for more information and if this non-invasive procedure is right for you!

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Can you Spare a Rib?

Rib cartilage harvested by Dr. Yoo

The ribcage encloses important organs such as the lungs and heart and its bony structure provides support as well. In total, the rib cage is composed of 24 ribs attached to the 12 thoracic vertebrae. Costal cartilage is attached to each rib and the sternum and functions to help the chest expand during breathing. As people get older, costal cartilages are more prone to becoming calcified.

In dorsal augmentation rhinoplasties, the 6th or 7th costal cartilage can be harvested for grafting material. To harvest rib cartilage, a small incision is made beneath the breast and part of the ab muscle is cut through to reveal the rib cartilage. After the cartilage is harvested, careful measures are taken so that everything is closed securely. 

Rib cartilage provides an abundant amount of cartilage compared to ear cartilage or septal cartilage, especially for major reconstruction or structural support. Cartilage grafts are carefully crafted in the most perfect shape to construct a beautiful nose that caters to each individual. Book a consultation today to learn more about YOOur nose and work towards your aesthetic goals!

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It’s all sun and games, until…

How does the sun affect scar healing?

Although the skin uses sunlight to help formulate Vitamin D, it can also take major injury from the sun as well. Sun damage goes beyond just a typical sunburn. Over long periods of time, the sun causes gradual harm to the skin. Sun rays contain ultraviolet light and this type of radiation can cause DNA changes in the skin. There are two different types of UV light, UVA and UVB. 

UVA light affects skin at all levels and layers. Within these layers are collagen and elastin which affect the elasticity and tightness of the skin. UVB light affects the outer layer of the skin and damages DNA more so than UVA which can lead to precancerous and cancerous cells.

Scars are especially sensitive to UVA and UVB and more susceptible to damage. Sun exposure to scars can cause darkening of the skin (hyperpigmentation), lightening of the skin (hypopigmentation), thickening of the skin (hypertrophy), as well as cause blisters.

The best way to help facilitate scar healing is to avoid sun exposure during the healing period. If needed, wear clothes that cover the scarred area, or apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. In combination with scar gel, this will assist scars to heal beautifully with minimal texture and color.

Posted in Asian rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty/eyelid surgery, Healing/Recovery, Revision rhinoplasty, rhinoplasty, Skincare | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cute Skin with Vitamin C

In the 1930s, Vitamin C was discovered and researched as the remedy for scurvy. It was found to play a cofactor role in collagen hydroxylase as well as boosting the body’s immune system. The discovery of Vitamin C eventually led to research in its role in skin health. 

The skin naturally contains vitamin C which assists in stimulating collagen growth and antioxidant protection against UV sun damage.  Available evidence suggests that Vitamin C decreases signs of aging, improves skin color, lessens wrinkle depth due to increased collagen formation, improves skin tone, improves wound healing, and assists in the production of barrier lipids which aids surface roughness and dry skin.

Studies have shown that aged and photodamaged skin have lower levels of vitamin C concentration. To combat this, vitamin C can be applied topically on the skin. However, this is also dependent on the formulation of the cream or serum as Vitamin C is not easily permeable through the skin barrier. It is important to check if products contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and should have a pH lower than 4. A product we would recommend would be the skinceuticals C E Ferulic Acid Serum! Please contact our office for additional information or if you have any further questions.

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Can I pierce my septum after rhinoplasty?

The nasal septum is located roughly at the midline of the nose. It is composed of five structures such as the perpendicular plate of ethmoid bone, vomer bone, cartilage of the septum, crest of the maxillary bone, crest of the palatine bone with the cartilaginous parts located in the front and bony parts located in the back of the nose. The septum functions to separate the right and left nasal cavities as well as provide structural support for the nose.

In augmentation rhinoplasty, cartilage grafts are typically used and some grafts are placed next to the septum. For example, spreader grafts are placed next to the septum and can help widen the middle third of the nose, prevent depressions or concavity, as well as deal with asymmetries. Other grafts near the septum include a septal extension graft which is used to help with tip projection, shape, and rotation.

In general, it is recommended that you do not pierce your septum after rhinoplasty as this can compromise your cosmetic result. Some complications that may arise include infection, fracture of cartilage graft, unsatisfactory appearance, possibility of revision rhinoplasty, depression of nose, deprojection of tip, and asymmetries.

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Why is my rhinoplasty scar in a zig zag pattern?

The open rhinoplasty approach is widely accepted as the more beneficial approach, in comparison to closed, as it has been shown to have many advantages. Not only does it provide better visualization of nasal structures, but this also allows for better accuracy and any correction of possible deformities. One disadvantage that concerns patients is the external transcolumellar scar. However, studies have shown that most patients are not bothered by their scar or consider them to be barely perceptible.

So how does the scar become invisible? Although there are many different types of incisions that may be used during an open rhinoplasty (i.e. transverse, “w”, “z”, “v”)

The inverted V is the most popular. Many studies have compared the different approaches in incisions for open rhinoplasties, and have shown that the inverted V incision provided better scar formation as well as less notching (alar rim retraction). Some authors have also described that this pattern is less noticeable to the eye and helps reduce wound tension; therefore, showing less scarring. 

In combination with good aftercare of nasal incisions as well as the usage of scar gel, open rhinoplasties scars are usually minimized and are barely noticeable.

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