Spending billions of dollars to improve one’s appearance.

As seen on: http://www.alexandriagazette.com/news/2013/jan/03/quest-youth-and-beauty/ 

By Marilyn Campbell 

Hiba Hakki reclines on an exam table as a physician picks up a syringe with his latex-gloved hand and points it at her face. He inserts the needle into the flesh around her eyes. She cringes slightly. This is a Botox injection, just one of the cosmetic procedures Hakki undergoes for the sake of beauty. 

“There is a slight burning sensation,” said Hakki, who is 58. “But it’s like anything else that we women do for our appearance that we dread. The needles are very fine so it’s not too bad.”

#Hakki is devoted to maintaining a polished appearance, which doesn’t include “crow’s feet,” frown lines, enlarged pores, sagging breasts, discolored teeth or even chipped nail polish. She is not alone in her desire to look her best. A recent survey by the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) shows that more than half of all Americans, regardless of income, approve of cosmetic plastic surgery, and spent nearly $10 billion on cosmetic procedures last year. ASAPS says that Botox (Botulinum Toxin Type A) injections top the list of the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedures, followed by hyaluronic acid, laser hair removal, microdermabrasion, and IPL (intense pulsed light) laser treatment.

#“There is a societal pressure to look young and beautiful,” said Arlington resident Linda Gulyn, Ph.D., a Marymount University psychologist who teaches about the natural process of aging from a social-psychological perspective. “Some people have a tougher time growing older than others, and they look for ways to slow down the natural change.”

#Candice Early, a spokesperson for the Arlington and Reston offices of plastic surgeon and McLean resident Dr. Wendy Gottlieb, M.D., says that laser hair removal is one of the treatments most commonly requested by patients in her practice. “The laser focuses on the hair bulb under the skin and kills it so that it will not grow back,” said Early. “I did it on my underarms seven years ago and I still don’t have underarm hair.”

#Hakki, whose husband is plastic surgeon Dr. Ayman Hakki, M.D., admits that the procedure is not pain-free. “If you can imagine snapping rubber bands on your skin, that is what it feels like,” she said. “Laser hair removal is not a one time treatment. Multiple treatments are needed for it to be effective. You need a lot of money and a lot of time.”

#For those seeking to rid their face of wrinkles, age spots and acne scars, microdermabrasion is an option. During the procedure, an esthetician uses a hand-held device that emits crystals onto the skin’s surface and polishes it. “It peels off the top layers of skin to reveal new skin cells,” said Early. “It temporarily damages skin and takes about a week to heal. At first, it looks like really bad sunburn on your face.”

#During an IPL laser treatment, an esthetician uses a hand-held device to administer the bright-light treatment. “It’s like laser resurfacing for the face,” said Early. “It tightens and rejuvenates the skin, but you need several treatments. It helps with age spots and makes the face firmer and more youthful.”

#Fillers like Restylane and Hylaform are sought-after weapons for those seeking fuller lips or wrinkle-free skin. Hyaluronic acid, the key ingredient in these fillers, is produced naturally in the body, but decreases as one gets older.

#“I’ve had fillers distributed all over my face. If you use just a little bit, others will never know it was done,” said Hakki. “I have used fillers to plump my lips, but I have to be careful not to get too much because I don’t want to look like Donald Duck.”

#Using cosmetic procedures in moderation is the key, say experts, to maintaining a natural look. “The overuse of Botox, for example, can make a person look like a lion,” said Early. “We can spot people who are addicted to cosmetic procedures and we turn those people away. If we look at you and feel that you don’t need a procedure, we won’t give it to you.”

#

Gulyn adds, “Our society equates youth with beauty, but there is a line between doing things that freshen your appearance and putting yourself at risk. You have to determine whether or not you’re putting yourself at physical risk, disrupting your family or preventing yourself from adapting to the natural changes of aging.” 

Photo contributed

Hiba Hakki, with her husband plastic surgeon Ayman Hakki, M.D., is among those who use cosmetic procedures to help keep the signs of aging at bay. 

To all who serve, THANK YOU! Luxxery Medical Boutique would like to wish a very happy Veteran's day to the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces of our great country.

Book your appointment here: 

http://luxxery.com/luxxerypromotions6.aspx 

By appointment only - schedule online or call 301-843-9769 

http://luxxery.com/LuxxeryPromotions-0812-2.aspx

Hey Dad, take care of your wives!  
Hey Mom, do something for yourself for once!

Includes Any two procedures:
Tummy Tuck, Breast Rejuvenation*,
and/or Body Countouring with Liposuction (two areas)
Includes All Costs!**
 
* Breast Lift or Reduction or Augmentation
** Includes All Costs: Operating Room, Surgeon Fees, Implants, Anesthesia

Make an online appointment today to take advantage of this before it is gone.

Before and after Liquid Facelift photos: http://luxxery.com/before-and-after/fat-accentuation.aspx  

Make a liquid face Lift appointment:  http://luxxery.com/make-appointment.aspx 

 Aging often causes a hollow, sunken, deflated appearance typically around the lower & upper eyelids, cheeks, temples and lips. A liquid facelift is a refined technique to lift and contour sagging facial features while also reducing wrinkles. Dermal fillers have become more popular than ever in the world of cosmetic surgery, prompting me to revisit the subject of Liquid Face-lift.

A liquid facelift is achieved by using a combination of advanced fillers and toxins products.  Today's hottest hyluronic acid based injectable products include Juvederm™, Restylane® Perlane®, and most recently introduced, Belotero®. Radiesse® and Sculptra are non hyluronic based semi-permanent fillers.  The three FDA approved injectable toxins used in Liquid Face-Lifts are: BOTOX®, Dysport® and Xeomin®. Fillers help reduce wrinkles and restore volume in the face, lips, mid-cheeks and marionette lines, yielding an overall youthful result. Toxins on the other hand add a borrowed lifting and tightening effect to the skin. Injecting overactive muscles with minute quantities of botulinum toxin type-A would result in decreased muscle activity.  This will effectively weaken the muscle for a period of three to four months thereby preventing the development of wrinkles.

Why a liquid Facelift?

A liquid facelift is a non-surgical approach to facial rejuvenation using dermal fillers and injectable toxins.

Unlike surgeries, liquid facelifts generate immediate results leaving the patient with instant gratification. The key to a successful liquid facelift is the artistic skill and extensive experience of the administering plastic surgeon. A syringe or two of the preferred filler can smoothen deep facial lines and folds and improve the appearance of sagging facial features. Fillers are used in males and females to augment cheekbones, lift the eyebrow pallet and plump up the lips. A liquid facelift can enhance and mold a patient’s features. Restoring lost facial volume by strengthening your jaw line and filling your laugh lines are only a few common ways to resurface a newer, younger, you.

Why not a surgical facelift?

A liquid facelift is a popular alternative to the surgical facelift method and allows the patient who is hesitant about the surgical option to temporarily see the changes that will be permanently corrected with surgery.

While a surgical facelift alone is an all-encompassing procedure that can lift the sagging skin and improve the large hanging bags under the eyes and jowls, it cannot solve the loss of fat or volume in the face. A facelift is an invasive surgical procedure requiring surgical intervention. Another advantage of a liquid facelift over facelift surgery is that that it is nonsurgical, with little or no downtime.

How long is the procedure?

A patient undergoing a liquid facelift can be in-and-out of the surgeon’s office in about an hour looking and feeling rejuvenated. Fillers are prepared in prefilled, disposable syringes. Today, most filler are dispensed with numbing agents to ensure a pain-free procedure. Dermal fillers will last for one to two years depending on the filler used and the area injected.

What is the recovery time?

A liquid facelift requires little or no downtime. A touch-up visit to your surgeon’s office may be needed once the swelling subsides to ensure satisfactory results.

What are the side effects?

Side effects may include some swelling and redness post treatment that can be controlled with the use of ice packs.

What is the cost?

The cost of a liquid facelift depends on the ingredients used in the dermal fillers "cocktail". The unique characteristics of each type of filler suggest that fillers are to be used in their specified areas of the face. The variety of dermal fillers used in a liquid facelift as well as the number of syringes used is a major factor in the cost of the procedure. An average liquid facelift that includes BOTOX or any other injectable toxin ranged from $1500-$3000.

BOTOX® or filler?

BOTOX® is not filler, it is a muscle relaxer. It has the ability to relax the muscles by temporarily disabling the movement of the targeted area underneath the wrinkles. BOTOX injections often eliminate wrinkles but wear off every four months. Although it must be repeated three times a year, BOTOX is a crucial component in the recipe of ingredients for a liquid facelift and works hand-in-hand with the dermal fillers.

Why not Fat Grafting?

A Fat Transfer is a more durable solution for the loss of volume in the face. The procedure is often referred to as “natural facelift". It is a surgical procedure removing fat from one body area and injecting it into the face, offering a very natural and popular alternative to fillers. Injecting fat into the face to look younger has become the more natural and lasting option for patients who face fat loss. Fat transfer merits its own lengthy discussion. The procedure is invasive and more complex. It requires a surgical intervention, IV sedation and more downtime. These are factors to which some patients may not be willing to commit.  While the results of a liquid facelift may last from six months to one-and-a-half year, fat transfer can last up to ten years or even longer.

For more information on Liquid Facelift or Natural Facelift or for your free consultation with Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Ayman Hakki

CALL NOW 301 843-9769 or log on to www.luxxery.com

By Daniel Swartz on July 31, 2012

http://www.revamp.com/story.php?StoryID=1926

Javier Calvo, Dr. Ayman Hakki and Luigi Parasmo (Photo: Dave Phillipich).

GEORGETOWN -- While Washington is starting to enjoy the cooling temperatures brought on by the end of summer, the changing weather nevertheless hints at all of the fall fundraising festivities that will soon engulf the city. And with all of those black tie benefits comes the simultaneous need by D.C. residents for increased styling, in order to ensure that they look their best.

Getting a jump start on things, noted hair stylist Luigi Parasmo and venerable plastic surgeon Dr. Ayman Hakki of Luxxery Medical Boutique united on Monday night at Luigi Parasmo Salon to host a pampered evening of beauty and glamour for a handful of the District’s tastemakers.

Labial Rejuvenation

More and more women are seeking plastic surgeons and cosmetic gynecologists to fix their “world down under”.  The internet has created easy access to nudity in the privacy of one’s home. This has allowed women today to take a second look at their genital structure and recognize the differences that exist in their genital appearance.  Plastic surgeons across the world are noticing an increase in demand for labiaplasty surgery and rejuvenation. These procedures help women overcome the embarrassment and low self esteem that accompanies what they consider aesthetically unacceptable genital structure. Issues such as enlarged or asymmetrical labial tissue and excess skin can affect sensation and cause discomfort. The physical and emotional relief these procedures offer explain the increasing demand for aesthetic surgery of the female genitalia.

What is Labiaplasty- Labial Rejuvenation?

Labiaplasty and labial rejuvenation is the latest in female genital cosmetic surgery. The procedures reshape and sculpt the labial part of the external genital of females. Both the labia minora, the small inside lips of the vagina and labia majora, the large outer lips of the vagina can be sculpted. Patients most commonly complain of a drooping labia minora which extends past the majora. Aside from an aesthetically displeasing look, the drooping can be accompanied by inflammation, can cause discomfort and interfere with sexual activities and pleasure. While the procedure typically reduces the size of prominent labia minora, an opposite approach is taken with the labia majora. Plastic surgeons can plump the majora with fat injections to correct the droopiness and sagginess. This approach restores the natural look of both labia with no visible scarring.

Where do I begin?

A consultation with your plastic surgeon or cosmetic gynecologist is the first step to learn how labiaplasty and labia rejuvenation can help you achieve a beautifully contoured labia. Your consultation will include a discussion of your goals, an evaluation of your individual issues and the likely outcome of your surgery.

What to expect

Labiaplasty surgery may be performed in your plastic surgeon’s accredited office-based surgical facility on an outpatient basis. It is commonly performed under local anesthesia with sedation. All efforts are made to attend to your comfort and safety by your plastic surgeon and assisting staff.

What does the surgery involve?

Dr Hakki’s uses the new approach to labiaplasty and labial rejuvenation by conserving the normal edges and color of the labia. This differs from the old amputation method. By snipping A “V” shape wedge of tissue of the inner folds of the labia minora and re-approximating the remaining edges, he is able to even out the edges and asymmetry. The patient’s own fat is then harvested by way of liposuction and injected into the labia majora to bring back fullness, thereby enhancing and restoring both labial tissues. This approach allows the surgeon to restore a youthful appearance and improve functionality and femininity in patients by maintaining the natural anatomy.  The procedure takes about an hour and patients are normally discharged immediately after recovery.

Progress and healing

Following your surgery you will experience some discomfort and swelling. Both swelling and discomfort is common post-operation, and easily controllable with medication. Your labial incisions will heal within 7-14 days as swelling and incisions continue to improve. Increased physical activity can be resumed within two weeks and vaginal intercourse can begin within 5-6 weeks post surgery, provided there are no complications. You will be able to return to work within a week of your procedure while normal activities can be resumed within 2 weeks. You must continue to follow your plastic surgeon’s instructions and follow up visits as scheduled.

Results and outlook

The dramatic improvement in labiaplasty goes beyond the aesthetic improvement achieved surgically. Studies have shown that the emotional relief goes beyond just the appearance. Vaginal rejuvenation offers patients physical, psychological, emotional and for many patients, functional relief. Though results can change women’s lives, patients also need to have realistic expectations.

What is the cost of Labial Rejuvenation?

Choosing to have any elective procedure is an important decision, but selecting your surgeon is most important. When performed by a board certified plastic surgeon, and depending on the geographical location, the average labiaplasty cost is between $4500 and $5500, including anesthesia and the facility fee.

Dr. Hakki prides himself in being on the leading edge of cosmetic surgery. He is constantly exploring new procedures, with his patients at the center of his thoughts. His on-site surgery center has created a safe and private environment for his patients to understand their surgeries without fear of judgment. Call Dr. Hakki now and schedule your private and confidential consultation. 301 843-8769