Be Aware of Fake Botox
Paul Vitenas, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S.

Over the last 10 years there has been a dramatic increase in the amount of clients using Botox Cosmetic. With this increase comes increases revenue for plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and medical spa. With so much money at stake, some practices are attempting to increase profits by using fake Botox Cosmetic or Chinese Botox. It is very important to make sure your Botox Cosmetic provider is only using Botox Cosmetic only from Allergan. You can tell by the hologram on the bottle. There are practices around the county and even in Houston that decided to start using knock off botox. This is a major problem within the industry and physicians have convicted for using these illegal products, like this doctor you r decided to start using Botulinum Toxin Type A to replaced FDA-approved botox in injections.

Beauty Secret: The Liquid Cheek Lift
Paul Vitenas, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S.

Forget the ultra-smooth forehead or the perfectly taut eyes—the real fountain of youth lies in our cheeks.

My face needs a lift; An alternative to Surgery
Paul Vitenas, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S.

Sagging. Drooping. Jowls. Aged. If these words can be used to describe the way you look and feel, you might have started thinking about what to do about it. Facelift comes to mind, but maybe you are too young for a facelift. Maybe you aren’t ready to go under the knife. Maybe the cost of a full face lift is eating at you. Could be that you just don’t have the option for all the downtime. Whatever the reason, it still doesn’t shade the fact that you want to look more youthful, healthy, and fresh. Look no further, TITAN may be the answer to your aging concern.

Limelight / IPL
Paul Vitenas, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S.

The LimeLight facial is a new, non-invasive approach to skin rejuvenation using Cutera’s LimeLight attachment, well known & referred to as an Intense Pulsed Light. The procedure offers the advantage of improving skin tone and surface imperfections associated with aging, hormones, and photo damage from the sun.

The Cosmetic Surgery Edge
Paul Vitenas, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S.

Government statistics indicate that an increasing number of people are seeking cosmetic surgery in an attempt to get ahead or maintain their position in the workplace. Unfortunately, in these competitive times, age discrimination is all too common. But it is not just older people looking to become more competitive with their younger colleagues. It has become almost a rite of passage for young men and women to have a corrective/enhancement procedure done at the beginning of their careers to increase their potential value to prospective employers. Good looks are associated with good health, and a potential employee’s good health gives employers confidence in their work ethic.

With all of the options available now, how do I choose the best facial filler?
Paul Vitenas, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S.

We choose appropriate fillers following skin analysis and medical history, and based upon whether we are attempting to soften facial creases and lines, restore/create volume and fullness, or smooth uneven texture caused by scarring. Today we have filler choices that can be very temporary, such as human-based collagen, and others that can last from one to several years, including highly cross-linked hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, and polymethylmethacrylate. Often, these fillers are layered to improve results. There are many new fillers on the horizon, so the options will be even greater soon. The placement and choice of filler to be used should always be individualized and your injector should be knowledgable, experienced, and have a good eye for balance and beauty.

What is Vaginal Rejuvenation, and how do I know if I need it?
Paul Vitenas, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S.

Many women are dissatisfied with the external appearance of the vaginal area. Vaginal rejuvenation refers to several different procedures which can be performed alone or in combinations. Aging occurs from head to toe. Both the natural aging process and childbirth can contribute to a loss of elasticity and tone in the vaginal canal which can result in lack of sexual pleasure. Vaginoplasty is a quick in-office procedure to remove excess vaginal tissue, decrease the size of the vaginal opening, and repair other supportive tissues in the vagina. Labiaplasty is a surgical procedure to reduce or reshape the labia minora and/or labia majora. In woman of reproductive age, there is considerable variation in the size of the labia. In some instances, women with large labia can experience pain during intercourse, or feel discomfort during everyday activities, especially when wearing tight-fitting clothing. Other women may feel unattractive and embarrassed. After the procedure most women have less discomfort during intercourse, feel more positive about their appearance and show overall improvement in their self esteem. Perineoplasty restores and tightens the lower portion of the vaginal opening to further enhance labiaplasty results. Women who have unsightly fat deposits in the pubic region can benefit from pubic liposuction. These fat deposits may have been present since birth or acquired with weight gain or puberty. Clitoral hood reduction can be performed for women who are bothered by the size of the clitoral hood and the clitoris shaft or head (glans). The hood may protrude too much causing the woman to be self-conscious or irritated. This is often performed as part of a routine labiaplasty.

My wife tells me that I need Botox, but do men actually have it done?
Paul Vitenas, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S.

Men are just as concerned about their appearance as women, and in these competitive times, looks are about more than vanity. A man's looks are linked to his job-related connections, his financial wealth, and to his happiness. Botox is one of the safest and most effective cosmetic treatments available for facial rejuvenation, and the convenience of BOTOX® treatments has made it a popular cosmetic option for men. Aesthetic treatments for men don’t just stop at Botox. Men have a growing interest in cosmetic treatments and procedures in general, from simple chemical peels to full face and body lifts. Facial fillers are popular among men, as well as skin tightening and Lipodissolve.Statistics available from the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery show that surgery is becoming increasingly popular with men as a way to deal with image maintenance and change.

How do I choose the best place to have injections of Botox and fillers done?
Paul Vitenas, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S.

All medical treatments have potential risks, and cosmetic injectable treatments are no exception. Reducing your risk of potential complications requires that you:

Mesotherapy vs Lipodissolve
Paul Vitenas, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S.

Lipodissolve is body-sculpting by injection, targeting pockets of fat that do not respond easily to diet and exercise alone. It is a non-surgical alternative to Liposuction for the right candidate, but does not replace surgery for everyone. Often, Lipodissolve is confused with Mesotherapy, when in fact they are two different procedures. Mesotherapy has been used for 50 years in Europe medically and aesthetically, while in the U.S. Mesotherapy is mainly used aesthetically as a cellulite treatment. The skin is nicked with a very short needle, allowing the combination of ingredients to enter just the dermis and the top of the subcutaneous tissue, where fat cells and tough connective tissue contribute to dimpling of the skin. It is the only known permanent solution to cellulite. Other technology can only temporarily stretch connective tissues to give a short-lived smooth texture.

Information for patients considering Breast Augmentation
American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Breast augmentation, technically known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure to enhance the size and shape of a woman's breast for a number of reasons.