Anti-aging plastic surgery procedures: distinguishing the hype from the science for safe, natural results

It can be tricky for patients to distinguish between hype and legitimate science when it comes to anti-aging plastic surgery procedures.By Stephen M. Krant, MD, FACS

Over the past few decades, the field of

plastic surgery

has undergone momentous change. From reconstructive surgery breakthroughs to anti-aging injectables to geographically-defined butt-lift procedures, the options available to plastic surgery patients have increased exponentially and evolved to attract everyone, from baby boomers to men and women in their twenties and thirties to septuagenarians and beyond. But with seemingly unlimited choice and customization comes also the threat of misleading advertising and unsafe methods: and as noted in a recent article for the

Philadelphia Inquirer

, it can be tricky these days to separate plastic surgery “hype” from hard medical science.

In order to be safe and smart consumers, plastic surgery patients need to educate themselves about their options – especially when it comes to injectables, laser treatments and other anti-aging facial procedures that are becoming widely available at non-medical spas and beauty salons across the nation. Regardless of the popularity or purported ease and efficiency of such treatments, the reality is that they are still serious medical procedures with room for health risks and significant errors if administered without the oversight of a licensed plastic surgeon. As a highly trained and experienced plastic surgeon, I recommend the proper use of injectables like Botox®, Dysport, Radiesse, Restylane®, Juvederm and Sculptra Aesthetic, as well as the administration of treatments like Fraxel, Thermage and fotofacials. However, I would caution all current and prospective plastic surgery patients to do the necessary research when selecting a plastic surgeon – and to seek out the scientific facts about anti-aging facial plastic surgery to ensure the safest and most natural-looking results.

SK Sanctuary: where science and spa treatments unite to enhance patients’ natural beauty

Many men and women feel rejuvenated after a massage or day at the salon – and the feeling is one that countless anti-aging treatment centers have attempted to emulate when marketing non-invasive plastic surgery procedures like lasers, microdermabrasion and injectables. Yet all too often, such centers are run by surgeons, physicians, dermatologists or even beauticians who, while they may have the legal ability to perform such procedures, are not board-certified in plastic surgery and therefore could be relatively inexperienced (and possibly under qualified) when it comes to handling plastic surgery patients. At

SK Sanctuary

, we offer a clear alternative: a luxurious spa environment run in partnership with the skilled surgeons at La Jolla’s SK Clinic for aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery and dedicated first and foremost to patient safety and medical expertise. SK Sanctuary for

La Jolla medical spa

services caters to discerning clients who are looking for the best, safest and most precise treatment without compromising relaxation or comfort. To learn more about our medical services, including facial therapy, massage therapy, lasers and injectables, visit us online today, at

www.sk-sanctuary.com

.