In our industry, especially in Beverly Hills, our days are filled with critiques by media experts concerning celebrities and their appearance. The latest appears to be Julianne Moore who was on the red carpet promoting the premiere of the HBO special “The Game”. In the production Julianne Moore plays Sarah Palin. The buzz around the media included a multitude of complements for her youthful appearance. At 51 years of age her skin appeared flawless and she did not have the telltale signs many celebrities have with plumped lips and unnaturally tight faces. So, what’s the problem? Well, now they write about whether or not we think this is natural; or great plastic surgery. A recent blog post in the Orange County Register, posed the question to a group of plastic surgeons. Of course, they were speculating based on photos but nevertheless they all weighed in. Many plastic surgeons say the best compliment they can have besides a referral is a patient who returns, and tells them that no one knows that they had the procedure performed. This is especially the case for facial rejuvenation procedures. Dr. Kim is careful to explain to patients that the extent of their surgery is partially based on their own desires. For example, some patients may choose to have a blepharoplasty and only address the concerns of the eye area even though they have a drooping brow and would benefit much more from a brow lift combined with a blepharoplasty. For this reason, it is unfair to judge the plastic surgery results of a celebrity, or any other person who we have not had complete knowledge of their recommendation from the plastic surgeon, as well as the choice that they made based on that recommendation. Dr. Kim finds that most of his patients follow his recommendation because of his extensive before-and-after photo gallery, as well as his artistic ability, is demonstrated not only in the photo gallery but also within his personal drawings and sketches. While it is fun to watch celebrities we must always remember especially when it comes to plastic surgery that they exist for our entertainment not our research.

According to the Washington Post there may be a danger lurking with popular gel nails. Nail salons and beauty magazines are buzzing about gel manicures. Customers love them considering they dry essentially instantly, and shine like patent leather plus don’t chip for two weeks. Salons get to charge more than double the price of a customary manicure, and then have repeat commerce when the customer returns to have the polish removed. “Artificial UV light does magnify your exposure for developing skin cancer and for early aging of the skin” says Anna M Bender a dermatologist at Johns Hopkins University. So people could use a sunscreen to try to block the UV from their bordering skin. People should reach for a sunblock that contains zinc or titanium oxide rather than a typical sunscreen. Those ingredients shield the skin from UVA rays, the kind emitted by nail lamps, albeit many sunscreens protect only against UVB light. “Even broad spectrum lotions may not overshadow the full UVA spectrum” Bender says. Halting a manicure to slap on sunblock would be exceptionally unusual behavior according to Lonnie Nguyen owner of Cleveland Park Day Spa and Toe Tally Nails in the District. Not one of her clients at either business has ever stopped the procedure to apply sunblock for UV protection. In fact the only attention her customers have shown about gel manicures is the unbelief that they will not smudge. Skin care includes proper care of the hands. Many say that you can tell the age of a woman by looking at her hands. Dr. Kim reminds his patients that the same attention given to premature facial aging should extend to a woman’s hands. The overwhelming majority of patients pay attention to their nails by having regular manicures some of which include gel manicures. Patients should also be mindful of utilizing the same medical grade skin care treatment they use on their face on their hands. Dr. Kim may recommend light laser treatments to help maintain youthful looking hands. Patients who decide to have a facelift should automatically include antiaging products and procedures for their hands. Most would agree that it can be quite shocking when the face looks youthful and the hands look old. Dr. Kim is committed to recommending the best overall treatments for his patients.

According to the Orange County Register the Food and Drug Administration has approved a new silicone-gel breast implant, making Sientra of Santa Barbara the 3rd company in the nation to market the products. The company says it plans to offer implants in different shapes in addition to the round implants now sold by Irvine-based Allergan and Johnson & Johnson’s Mentor unit, also based in Santa Barbara. Silicone breast implants have been controversial for several years, with critical experts concerned about devices dispensing silicone through leaks or rupturing. Silicone implants were pulled from the market in 1992 but scientists later reported that they ruled out most potential health risks and silicone came back on the market in 2006. Since then manufacturers have been required to track women who get the implants. And last year, the director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health warned that recurrent visits and MRI scans are important for all women who receive breast implants. The FDA also said the majority of women who get the implants will have to have breast implant exchange or undergo additional surgery in 8 to 10 years. “Data on these [Sientra] and other approved silicone gel-filled breast implants continue to demonstrate a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness,” William Maisel, M.D., M.P.H., deputy director for science in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, said in a news release today. He added, ”It’s important to remember that breast implants are not lifetime devices. Women should fully understand risks associated with breast implants before considering augmentation or reconstruction surgery, and recognize that long-term monitoring is essential.” Dr. Kim like most plastic surgeons welcomes the idea of another alternative for FDA approved silicone cohesive gel implants. Breast augmentation patients including those who need a combined breast lift theoretically will be served better with more options. This could translate into better savings as competition should drive the cost of the breast implants down. Dr. Kim advises patient to be diligent concerning their choices of plastic surgeons to perform the breast augmentation procedure. Although it is a popular procedure it is not”easy”. The overall long-term results are heavily dependent upon the plastic surgeon, his expertise, natural and acquired skills. Dr. Kim provides all of his patients an extensive photo gallery displaying his impressive results.

According to the Orange County Register 90’s rapper and entertainment celebrity Lil’ Kim is the latest source of shock for celebrity watchers. The overall consensus of those writing about Lil’ Kim and her dramatically different look is that she has a bad case of plastic surgery gone too far. Some speculate as to whether she has body dysmorphic disorder — making her imagine or exaggerate any natural flaws. Does she see herself differently than how other see her? Even a novice plastic surgery guru would take one look at Lil’ Kim and know that she does not have a natural appearance. It is obvious through the years that she has used some sort of skin lightening product as are skin appears lighter and not necessarily natural. Her rhinoplasty and breast augmentation is rather noticeable. The use of injectables seems apparent as well. It would be a fair statement to say that most women do not desire to have this look. It would also be an accurate statement to say that most women of color, would not desire her look. Dr. Kim is proud to have his practice in Beverly Hills which lends itself to a very diverse patient base. Patients are encouraged to embrace beauty without losing what many consider to be there ethnic attributes. For example, some African-American women who consult with Dr. Kim for procedures like rhinoplasty or liposuction choose him because of his artistic ability as well as his philosophy of maintaining ethnic beauty. This philosophy also serves the Asian population very well. Asian patients often choose Dr. Kim for their blepharoplasty which helps to reduce the double crease in the eyelid and allow for an eyelid that appears more open and wide. Patients must remember, before they fear outcomes like Lil’ Kim or Michael Jackson, that these celebrities did not achieve the look with one surgery. In most cases, with celebrities and those in the public eye, it’s a case of not knowing when enough is enough.

According to the Orange County Register another celebrity is speaking out against her lip injections which she claims ruined her look. French actress Emmanuelle Beart, who was seen in Mission Impossible, is newsworthy this week because she is talking about her botched lip enhancement at age 27 and warning women (out of the kindness of her heart) against plastic surgery. Medical experts believe her experience likely reflects the massive problems with silicone injections given in years ago, which is much different than modern substances that work better and stay in the lips for a shorter amount of time. The trend toward “trout pout” or duck lips may be over (at least some hope). Dr. Kim cautions patients that when considering lip augmentation whether using fillers like Juvederm, Restylane, or one of the newer lip implants it is important not to overdo the look of the lips. It is not advisable for patients who have loose and lax skin on their face to consider plumping their lips instead of tightening the wrinkles on their face. In most cases this makes the lips stand out in an unattractive way, especially against skin on the face that is wrinkles and lax. This also applies to patients who have older looking eyes, including droopy eyelids and bags beneath the eyes. Overly plumped lips do not look attractive against this background. The bottom line is the patient should not isolate one specific feature on their face when considering facial rejuvenation. While for some patients it may not be cost-effective to address all of the areas at once; it does make sense to have a treatment plan and then pick the procedures that will look the best long-term over time.

According to The Los Angeles Times there is a new enemy to watch out for in the fight against breast cancer. New research provides some facts that environmental chemicals that are similar to estrogen’s effects may add to women’s risk of certain cancers. In a conclusion that strengthens the association between environmental pollutants and rising rates of breast cancer, new research finds that women who have diets that contain elevated levels of cadmium are at higher risk of having a breast cancer diagnosis than those who consume less of the industrial chemical in their food. Cadmium, a heavy metal which has been identified as a carcinogen for some time now, seeps into crops from fertilizers and when precipitation or sewage sludge drop it onto farmland. Whole grains, potatoes, other vegetables and shellfish are the main dietary sources of cadmium, which can also become airborne as a pollutant if fossil fuels are burned, and is commonly inhaled as well as ingested. The new study published by the American Assn. for Cancer Research and released Thursday, discovered that among 55,987 women who have been through menopause, the one-third with the highest cadmium intakes were 21% more likely to get breast cancer than the one-third with the lowest intakes. Among obese women, the study discovered no increase in breast cancer rates with higher cadmium exposures. It can be very confusing and discouraging trying to keep up with new information concerning the best ways to avoid breast cancer. Dr. Kim informs his breast surgery patients including those who have had breast augmentation, breast reduction, or breast lift that early detection for breast cancer still remains one of the best ways to increase the chance of survival after a diagnosis. Patients are advised to continue the American Cancer Society’s recommendation for early detection. This includes monthly breast self-exams as well as annual mammograms at age 40 and beyond. Patients who have a strong family history of breast cancer are encouraged to maintain a close relationship with their primary care physician who may request additional screenings. It is important that women focus on breast care for a lifetime.

According to online post Health Day it may come as a shock to you, but if you’re toting your favorite purse from the gym locker room, to a parent-teacher meeting, to the floor of your favorite public restaurant, you may as well be carrying around a supersized petri dish of bacteria. One ABC News investigation showed that most purses have tens of thousands of germs. Half of the bags tested in the experiment were positive for coliform bacteria, demonstrating the possible presence of human or animal waste . How could this be? It’s not that difficult to believe — women place their purses in public bathrooms, including on floors where bodily fluids may be emitted; on public transportation, such as bus and train floors; and on fast-food counters, floors, and chairs, all of which contain potentially harmful germs, notes Deepti Chauhan, MD, an infectious disease specialist at Loyola University Health System in Maywood, Ill. “Public bathroom floors are the most consistent offenders for creating dirty purses,” she adds. Germs and bacteria live on purses. “Primarily bacteria, including staph and E. coli species, can result in infections,” says Susan Stuart, MD, a dermatologist at La Jolla Dermatology in California. Patients who are having surgery are told during their preoperative visit about the importance of a clean environment. The goal is to prevent infection from germs. Dr. Kim explains the risk of infection that is a part of every surgery. Patients are informed that infections that are as a result of exposure to germs and bacteria can in part be avoided by washing hands prior to touching incisions. Since many of the articles that patients handle on a daily basis including purses, cell phones, wallets, and eyeglasses are riddled with germs, frequent hand washing is even more important for patients who have had surgery, and the people who are caring for them. Good preventative health measures should be taken for all surgeries including abdominoplasty, facelift, and breast lift as the incisions for these surgeries usually include instructions for patients or their caregiver to keep the incisions clean and dry.

According to an online Orange County Register blog post a Los Angeles plastic surgeon and UCLA professor who specializes in rhinoplasty surgery made marks similar to surgical markings made before surgery on photos of Kim Kardashian’s face. He says that they illustrate his “forensic analysis” of changes made to her nose. The surgeon believes that Kardashian has had a rhinoplasty. He perceives “subtle” changes. “Kim Kardashian’s plastic surgeon must have known that s/he was messing with near perfection,” he says. Questions surrounding Kim Kardashian and plastic surgery, only one of which was a rhinoplasty, have come up before.

When she appeared on “Nightline” in 2010, she said she did not have a nose job and, after a consultation, chose not to get one .“But what’s funny is about my nose, it’s my biggest insecurity,” she said. “I always want to get my nose done. … I went to a doctor, I had them take the pictures, he showed me what it would look like and it just didn’t — It — I wouldn’t look the same.” Although many may scrutinize Kim Kardashian’s nose and wonder if in fact she had rhinoplasty, the reality is even with all of the photos and film footage; no one can tell for sure. This is a good thing! Dr. Kim explains to patients that good cosmetic work should not be immediately visible especially with a rhinoplasty procedure. The goal is to maintain the basic structure, character, and in some cases ethnicity of the nose. It is also important for good surgeon to evaluate the entire face in comparison to the nose, and include recommendations if necessary like chin augmentation or blepharoplasty. The average person does not have their photograph taken as many times as a celebrity like Kim Kardashian;, however, every day the most important person will see your face. The most important person is you. Dr. Kim strives to help patients make the best long-term cosmetic surgery decisions by maintaining a solid commitment to delivering the best possible cosmetic surgery results.

According to an online Orange County Register blog post, the new Demi Moore image that was released as part of the Helena Rubinstein cosmetic company advertising promotion, shows a celebrity who is virtually unrecognizable. Many other blog post and beauty articles allege that the photograph has been extensively digitally enhanced. Many writers point to the fact that the skin looks eerily flawless and that there are absolutely no wrinkles on the 49-year-old actress. The public is well known that fashion companies digitally enhance photographs to sell their products. When cosmetic companies do so in such an obvious way it raises questions as to the message of their attempting to convey to their consumers. The implied message would be that if they use the products, they can achieve the look of the model. The reality is if consumers can tell that the photo has been digitally enhanced it is debatable as to whether the connection to the product will be a positive one. Dr. Kim reminds his patients that digital imaging and Photoshop should always be considered when patients are comparing celebrity photos to the cosmetic surgery enhancements they are considering. Cosmetic plastic surgery results are highly dependent upon the patient, the plastic surgeon, and the patient’s desires. It is not realistic for an average 49-year-old woman to compare herself to a celebrity like Demi Moore and expect to have the same appearance weather digitally enhanced or not. The reality is each person is able to achieve their best most youthful appearance when they are honest and realistic about what can be achieved in their specific situation. The most popular procedures include breast augmentation, liposuction, and for women over 40, facelift. Dr. Kim encourages his patients to celebrate their unique features and to realize that his goal is to enhance the beauty each patient already possesses.

According to an online industry article Botox for men or the slang term “Brotox” is supposedly a new trend. Those of us who live and work in Southern California specifically Beverly Hills, fail to see the novelty of what many media outlets call the desire for men to look good. In this day and age it is not just about looking good it is also about looking better, more youthful, and more energized. It should not surprise most people that men would consider Botox or other cosmetic procedures. When you consider the competitive nature of men celebrated in our culture it is quite possible that this could carry over into the area of appearance. It is possible that this has become more of an issue lately due to a fiercely competitive job market in a post economic climate. It is not uncommon for men to feel that they may be passed over for new opportunities because they look older, less energetic, and less youthful. Dr. Kim encourages his mail client to embrace their best possible appearance. There are many procedures including Botox injections, liposuction, and brow lift that can benefit the overall appearance of most men. Dr. Kim has the expertise and artistic skill to assure that his male patients not only look better but still continue to look like themselves. Traditionally, male patients are most fearful of looking different and looking made over. Even in our celebrity environment, this is not the desire of most men. Dr. Kim offers a host of before and after photos as well as an in-depth one-on-one consultation to put fears of cosmetic surgery that men may have at ease. Being a good-looking man, especially in Southern California is not a trend; it’s practically an expectation!