Our Santa Barbara cosmetic surgery office is closed in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. We will re-open on Monday, November 27th. We are thankful for all of our loyal clients and we wish you and your families a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Chin augmentation surgery at Cosmetic Surgery Center can be a wonderful anti-aging solution.
When the face ages, elasticity decreases and the soft tissue loses volume. For some, due to genetics or just because, the chin definition becomes noticeably softer. A “weak” – or under-projected – chin can make the nose and/or neck appear larger than they are and can make the overall facial features appear unbalanced. To solve this problem, a small implant can be used to re-create the definition that was once there.
The implant that we use is made from a soft silastic material that can be custom cut and shaped, without leakage, for each individual. The implant is placed in a pocket under the muscle so it is stable and can be removed, at a later date, if desired. The implant is well-tolerated and most patients say they forget that the implant is there.
Not all chins are “weak”. If the chin is too big, augmentation can be done by removing soft tissue or bone to reduce the chin.
Our chin augmentation patients are amazed at the change in their profile and the new relationship between their facial features. Many patients have also expressed that their newly defined chin makes them look like they have lost 10 pounds!
View our before and after chin surgery photos here.
If you are interested in chin augmentation by Dr. Perkins at Santa Barbara Cosmetic Surgery Center, call (805) 563-0000 to schedule a consultation today.
Liposuction was the 2nd most popular cosmetic surgical procedure in 2016 (breast augmentation was the 1st). Everyone has heard of liposuction but there are still myths that we get asked about at our Santa Barbara cosmetic surgery practice. Here we address some of the most common preconceptions:
Liposuction is a great procedure for weight loss. Not true! Liposuction is a body contouring procedure, not a weight loss procedure. Most of the patients we treat are near, or at, their ideal weight and want to get rid of stubborn areas of fat that are resistant to exercise and a healthy diet such as the abdomen, flanks, inner and outer thighs, or upper arms.
Liposuction is only for women. Again, not true. While most of the people seeking liposuction are women, men also have the procedure done. In 2016, 11% of liposuction procedures done were on men. Popular treatment areas include the “love handles”, abdomen, and neck for men.
Liposuction gets rid of cellulite. Liposuction removes deep fat just beneath the skin but it may not necessarily remove the cellulite. At my Santa Barbara medical spa, Evolutions, there is a one-time cellulite treatment called Cellfina that is clinically proven to treat the primary structural cause of cellulite and offers long term results (3+ years).
Abdominal liposuction and tummy tucks are the same thing. Liposuction and tummy tucks are not the same thing. A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is done to address excess abdominal skin and tightening of the abdominal muscles. Liposuction simply removes the fat. Liposuction is often used in a tummy tuck procedure.
Liposuction is much more expensive than CoolSculpting or SculpSure. This may not necessarily be true. The price difference may be much less than you think. Non-invasive body contouring procedures (such as CoolSculpting and SculpSure) take multiple treatments. CoolSculpting.com states that cost “typically ranges between $2,000 to $4,000” for a personalized treatment plan.
Is Liposuction right for you?
Liposuction can quickly and permanently contour your body with just one treatment. We are able to perform all of our liposuction procedures comfortably and safely using local anesthesia plus sedation – no general anesthesia needed. Our patients feel that liposuction was an easy and effective way to improve their contours.
If you are interested in a liposuction treatment in Santa Barbara, call my office – 805-563-0000 – to schedule a consultation.
Facial rejuvenation – surgical and non-invasive – is on the rise, according to 2016 Plastic Surgery Statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
It is not surprising that many people are seeking facial rejuvenation as most of us are living longer, healthier lives and more of our lives are being captured on camera at any given time (and posted on social media for all to see). Here are several popular facial rejuvenation options that are on the rise (and that are done at our Santa Barbara Cosmetic Surgery Center practice).
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
In 2016 over 209,000 people had eyelid surgery. Eyes are often the first thing people notice and they can convey so much. When sagging skin or fat bulges appear, they can dramatically affect a person’s overall appearance, making them look tired, unhappy, or unapproachable when they are not. Eyelid surgery – which can be done on the upper eyelid, lower eyelid (or both) – will restore the appearance around the eyes to give you a well-rested (but not “done”) look.
Forehead Lift Surgery
Forehead lift surgery went up by 6% in 2016. The Forehead Lift – also known as a “Brow Lift” – repositions the forehead and brow upward. Relaxation fo the forehead can cause a heaviness on the eyebrows that crowds the eyes. When this happens, many people think their eyes need to be done and are surprised to hear that it is the forehead area that needs to be addressed. Putting the forehead area back into a more youthful position will alter a person’s appearance – in a very positive way.
Rhinoplasty (Nose Reshaping)
People do not normally get nose reshaping surgery to turn back the clock but it is a procedure that provides rejuvenation in the sense that it can create a more balanced relationship in a person’s facial features. Rhinoplasty can refine a bulbous tip, narrow a wide nose, straighten a crooked nose and/or remove an unwanted bump. At Cosmetic Surgery Center we believe that the end result of a rhinoplasty should not have an “operated” look and, in fact, the best work is usually not detected.
Botox and Dysport
Over 7 million people had Botox or Dysport treatments last year. The number of treatments for Botox and Dysport has risen 797% since 2000! The popularity of the treatment is due to the low cost, no downtime, and the end result. A half hour (to one hour) appointment can smooth forehead lines and crow’s feet, which can take years off a person’s appearance. This anti-wrinkle treatment is quick, virtually painless, and works.
Dermal Fillers (such as Restylane, Sculptra, Juvederm, Radiesse)
Injectable fillers are used to restore or enhance an appearance and can last from 6 months to 5 years depending on the type of filler used. The most common fillers are made of hyaluronic acid (Restylane, Juvederm, Voluma), a naturally-occurring complex carbohydrate that binds water molecules to add volume and keep tissues soft. Fillers can be used to “fill” wrinkles, fine lines, some scars and also can be used to add volume to areas that are “deflated”. Most dermal filler appointments only take 1 to 2 hours and the results are instantaneous. Over 2.6 million Americans had a filler treatment in 2016.
Facial rejuvenation is a wonderful way to restore your youthful look!
If you are interested in surgical or non-invasive facial rejuvenation options, call our Santa Barbara plastic surgery office to schedule a consultation – (805) 563-0000.
At the annual IMCAS Aesthetic Surgery & Cosmetic Dermatology World Congress it was reported that the cosmetic surgery market worldwide grew by 8.3% in 2016 with about $8.9 billion spent on cosmetic surgery procedures and non-invasive aesthetic treatments. The prediction for 2017 and beyond is that the number will keep growing.
The trend towards people wanting to “look their best” is due to many factors, but what we commonly hear in our Santa Barbara cosmetic surgery office is:
Cosmetic surgery is also on the rise because techniques have far advanced since surgeries of a few decades ago which means less downtime and better results. Also, there are many minimally-invasive plastic surgery options available that are less expensive with a shorter recovery time that give a nice, natural result. In addition to better surgery procedures, many patients are surprised that all of our cosmetic surgeries can be performed without going under general anesthesia. We use a combination of local anesthesia and oral sedation alone, or in combination with intravenous sedation that provides relaxation and amnesia.
If you are interested in turning back the clock and desire a natural, rested, “non-operated” look, call our office (805-563-0000) to schedule a consultation today. We specialize in facial rejuvenation and liposuction body contouring.
At the Cosmetic Surgery Center in Santa Barbara many of our patients come to see us because they feel their appearance has changed. The patients describe their look as “tired”, “sad” or “angry” when that is not how they feel. In many of these cases, relaxation of the forehead is the culprit. The heaviness in the forehead causes the eyebrows to lower and the eyes become crowded. When this happens, a person can appear tired, sad, or angry. If this is the case, a Forehead Lift – also known as a “Brow Lift” – can be done to renew their look.
The benefits of a forehead lift are multiple:
The forehead lift plastic surgery will leave you looking natural, rested, and “non-operated”. Pictured below are before and after pictures of a forehead lift patient of Dr. Perkins.
If you are tired of looking tired, call our Santa Barbara cosmetic surgery office at (805) 563-0000 to schedule a consultation appointment to renew your appearance.
At our Santa Barbara plastic surgery practice, we strive to help every person look their best and love to hear feedback from our patients. Thank you for this kind testimonial:
Dr. Perkins was able to help me where diet and fitness alone could not. After having children I was left with split abdominal muscles and surgery was the only way it could be repaired. From my first exam to my post surgery care, I always felt like Dr. Perkins and his staff gave me the best care. Best of all, I’m so pleased with the results!
— JH, Santa Barbara
Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving and relaxing holiday weekend!
 |
| Actual Bellafill patient (from left to right: Baseline, 3 months, 5 years) |
At our Santa Barbara cosmetic surgery practice, we highly value any input from our patients. It is especially nice to receive notes such as this one (referring to myself, Dr. Perkins, and Nancy, my nurse):
It has been an absolute pleasure to have worked with you both. For me it was a real privilege to have a facelift done by two experienced, professional, and artistic people. You were both so caring and supportive. Thank you for being such wonderful human beings.
