Tuesday 26 January 2016

5 Steps to Beautiful, Natural Looking Breast Implants


Do you dream of having larger breasts but worry about having implants in case the results look unnatural? Breast augmentation techniques and the breast implants themselves have come a long way in the last decade.


These days, a very natural looking breast enlargement is easily achievable in the hands of a skilled and sensitive surgeon. There are a number of factors that contribute to how natural (or unnatural) breast implants look, which we have outlined below to help you understand how to achieve the appearance that’s right for you…

1) Implant size


The size and profile of implant you choose is one of the most important factors in achieving a natural looking result. It’s tempting to ‘go large’, after all you’re making a significant investment and you want to be able to see the difference. However, the ideal size for you will be dictated by your body. 

The surgeon will measure your chest to see how wide it is, look at the shape of your breastbone and evaluate the amount and quality of soft tissue you have.  If you have a narrow chest and the implants are too large, the breasts will appear too close together. Likewise, if your breastbone is bowed, the breasts will sit too far apart, and if you simply don’t have enough tissue on your chest, large implants will stretch the skin and appear to be ‘bursting out’.

Once your surgeon has studied your anatomy, he or she will advise you of the ideal size range and provide you with gel implants to try on in a special bra. This process of physically trying the implants on will give you a good idea of what they will both look and feel like.

By listening to your surgeon’s advice, you can be sure of selecting an implant size that will suit your physique and not look out of place.

2) Implant shape


Breast implants come in two main shapes – round and teardrop. In order to achieve a truly natural appearance it is necessary to use teardrop shaped implants.

The natural shape of a breast is fuller at the bottom than at the top, hence round implants, which have the same fullness all the way round, can look artificial.

Teardrop implants have a smooth, tapered upper pole transition for a natural breast contour and contain a gel which mimics natural breast tissue so they feel lifelike too.

These implants require greater surgical skill to implant, since they can result in misshapen breasts if they rotate (unlike round implants) and consequently they are slightly more expensive, but for women who desire a natural look the teardrop shape is the best choice.

3) Incision/scar location


There are three breast augmentation incision sites to select from:

·      Trans-axillary – the incision is made in the armpit
·      Peri-areolar – an incision is made around the nipple  
·      Infra-mammary – made under your breast at the crease where the breast meets the body

If visible scarring is a concern for you, opting for periareolar (nipple) incision can result in near invisible scarring. This is because of the difference in skin colour and texture on the nipple areola. However, there are other factors to consider when deciding upon incision location.

Although peri-areolar incision is typically the most concealed, it is associated with a higher likelihood of breast feeding difficulties than the other incision options because it involves cutting through the breast tissue. It can also increase the chance that there will be a loss of nipple sensation. (It is also reliant upon having large enough areolas).

While you might not like the idea of scars beneath your breasts, infra-mammary incision can produce very pleasing results. This is because, in most cases, the fullness in the base of the breast will completely conceal the scar when you are sitting or standing.

Trans-axillary (armpit) incision will result in scarring either side of your body that will be visible when you wear something sleeveless and lift your arms, however it can be a better choice than an infra-mammary (under breast) incision in patients with small and perky breasts, where a scar beneath the breasts would be visible.

Your surgeon can advise on the best choice of incision site for you.

4) Placement on chest

Implants can be placed on the chest in two main ways: beneath the breast tissue but on top of the muscle or beneath the tissue and muscle.

For most women, unless they have lots of breast tissue, placing implants beneath the muscle (subpectoral) is the only way to achieve a really natural look. If they are placed on top (subglandular), the implants will be more visible and you might even be able to feel their outline when you touch them.
 
Placing implants subpectorially (under the muscle) creates more cushion between the implant and the skin, so you’re less likely to feel the edges or see rippling. 

The only drawback with this method is the potential for distortion of the breast with muscle flexion (a particular concern for athletic patients). However, it can be minimised by release of the pectoralis muscle in the lower pole of the breast, something that a skilled surgeon will be able to perform.

5) Sculpting

To achieve the most natural looking breast augmentation possible you can also add fat grafting to your procedure. Fat grafting (of fat transfer) involves taking fat from one part of the body and transplanting it to the breasts in order to sculpt their appearance. 

Fat can be harvested via a very minor procedure of micro lipo extraction and it can be taken from your tummy or thighs, providing added benefit!

Using your own fat in combination with an implant provides an optimum result because the fat looks and feels just like real breast tissue. It can be used to smooth the transition from implant to chest, providing padding on top of the implant and disguising the edges. Skilfully executed, it will be near impossible for anyone to tell that your breasts are not completely your own.

Want to find out more about how you can have beautiful, natural looking larger breasts? Contact Ocean Clinic Marbella today for a no obligationconsultation.

Tuesday 19 January 2016

The Top 5 Most Popular Cosmetic Treatments for Men

It’s not only women who want to look good and fight the signs of ageing. Men are increasingly starting to take better care of their appearance, and why shouldn’t they? We all deserve to feel good about ourselves.





According to a report by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the number of procedures performed on men has increased by a massive 273% since 1997.

One of the most popular countries for male cosmetic surgery is Brazil, where one male goes under the knife every two minutes.

Here at Ocean Clinic Marbella, our clientele remains mostly female, but we too are noticing growing numbers of male patients. The taboo around cosmetic surgery for men is definitely on the wane, with more males viewing aesthetic treatments as a complementary part of their personal care routine, like working out at the gym or eating healthily.

Below we look at the five cosmetic procedures most frequently requested by our male patients and explain how those treatments meet their concerns about their appearance…

1. Liposuction


Even relatively athletic men can suffer from stubborn pockets of fat. These often appear on the tummy and at the sides of the waist (love handles) and don’t respond to diet or exercise. Our patients tell us this is incredibly frustrating for them and are often self-conscious about being seen in swimwear.

Here in Marbella, we spend a lot of time on the beach, so this is a concern we hear frequently. However, liposuction is a highly effective way to eliminate these undesirable fat deposits – and ensure they don’t come back.

The best candidates for this treatment are men with an otherwise healthy lifestyle and body weight. It should not be treated as a weight loss method, but rather as a way to sculpt and tone, revealing your muscle structure underneath.

For patients who wish to lose larger amounts of weight, we also offer gastric balloon treatment – a safe, temporary aid to weight loss. Read more about it here.


2. Gynecomastia reduction (male breast reduction)


Liposuction is also an integral part of gynecomastia correction surgery, which is performed to reduce the size of enlarged, female-looking breasts in men.
This condition can appear at any age and can be caused by hormonal problems or develop if a man is over weight. It is a highly emotionally sensitive issue for men and correcting this problem can be transformative for them.
Gynecomastia is more common than you might think - the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) states that 26,175 men underwent gynecomastia correction surgery in 2014.
Gynecomastia reduction surgery involves cutting out excess glandular tissue and then using liposuction to improve the contour of the chest. This surgery can offer male patients a significant improvement in their quality of life, enabling them to confidently take part in sports, go swimming and be intimate with partners.

3. Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)


Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery, can remove sagging skin and pouchy pockets of fat from around the eye, which often develop in men as they age.
Patients requesting this procedure tell us that people often think they’re tired, when actually they are sleeping well and feel just fine. Drooping eyelids can also make a man seem older than he really is – and in severe cases it can event interfere with vision.
The procedure to correct the problem is relatively quick and straightforward, with scars hidden in the fold of the upper eyelid or directly under the lashes on the lower eyelid.
Removing eye bags and drooping eyelids can make you appear years younger, more rested and healthier. According to the ASPS, blepharoplasty grew in popularity by 34% amongst men between 2010 and 2015. Read more about eye bag surgery here.

4. Facelift


The facelift is one of the most frequently requested treatments for women here at Ocean Clinic, but it is also growing in popularity with men, especially lower facelifts, which lift the jowls and neck.

A strong jawline is a key male defining characteristic, however as men age it can become less defined as skin starts to sag and fatty deposits build up under the chin.

A MACS (Minimal Access Cranial Suspension) facelift can elevate the skin of the jawline and, together with neck surgery to remove excess neck skin and fatty tissue, can restore a smooth jawline contour.

The results are very natural looking with near invisible scars placed in the sideburns and behind the back of the ear, which our male patients tell us is important as they do not want it to be obvious they have had surgery. Watch a 3D simulation a face and neck lift here.

5. Cosmetic Facial Injections


Injectables have exploded in popularity over the last few years, with both women and men. In 2014, more than 410,000 US men had the treatment, according to the ASPS.

Men are often not as self conscious about wrinkling as women, but deep frown lines and squint lines can make them appear older than they are. This can be a particular concern for men in business trying to project a youthful and dynamic image.

Instead of a completely wrinkle-free look, Cosmetic injections can be used to tighten and lift so men will look more vital, stronger and feel more confident.  

Injectables carry few risks and are considered a minimally invasive treatment. The effects last between four to six months, however over time wrinkles will appear less severe as the muscles are trained to relax, increasing the periods between treatments.

Are you a man considering a cosmetic procedure? Book an appointment with Ocean Clinic Marbella to discuss your suitability for treatment. Click here to contact us.



Friday 8 January 2016

The Future of Beauty: 2016 Cosmetic Surgery Trends


“New Year, New You,” as the saying goes. In January many people make plans to lose weight, get in shape and revamp their appearance. 


At this time of year Ocean Clinic Marbella receives an extra high level of enquiries as people look forward to the year ahead with renewed optimism and determination to make the changes they dream about.

So what does 2016 have in store when it comes to cosmetic surgery? In 2015, we saw the rise of the Brazilian butt lift, where bigger seemed to be better, but this year surgeons are predicting a return to a more natural aesthetic.

Website realself.com surveyed board-certified doctors about their predictions for this year and this is what they said…

Good things come in small(er) packages


Increasing amounts of women are opting for smaller breast implants, according to 39% of surgeons questioned, and this trend is expected to continue. Smaller chested celebrity beauties such as Kate Hudson, Rihanna, and Gwen Stefani are helping drive the move away from super-sized breasts.


Says Head Surgeon at Ocean Clinic Dr. Kaye: “We are also seeing a desire for more natural looking breasts. As well as opting for smaller, teardrop-shaped implants, patients are requesting fat grafting to smooth the transition from chest to implant and get the most natural result possible.”

He adds: “We have also seen an increase in requests for breast reduction surgery from younger patients. This procedure seems to be becoming more popular in general.”

 

Luscious lips are on the wish list


Last year saw a big uptick in the number of lip-related requests from women, according to 30% of dermatologists and 43% of facial plastic surgeons. Kissable lips remain an object of desire in 2016, with celebrities like Kylie Jenner driving demand. 


“We have many requests for injectable fillers, which can enhance the volume of the lips for around a year, but we’re also offering a more permanent option with fat grafting,” says Dr. Kaye.

“This means taking some donor fat from elsewhere on the body, such as the tummy, and transplanting it to the lips. It is able to be transplanted as living tissue meaning the results can last many years and look incredibly natural.”

 

Read more about fat grafting

 

Intimate surgery will complete ‘mummy makeovers’ in 2016


The so–called ‘mummy makeover’ which combined breast augmentation with tummy tuck and liposuction, will be enhanced this year with an additional procedure.

Nearly 40% of the surgeons in the poll believe there will be increased demand for vaginal rejuvenation procedures from woman who have given birth and want tightness restored.


“We can not only tighten the vagina, we can also reduce the size of the labia if it has become stretched or torn as a result of childbirth,” says Dr. Kaye.

“Excess labial tissue can be very uncomfortable, as well as making women feel self conscious, so this procedure can help restore mums’ confidence and boost their sex lives.”


More men to seek out cosmetic procedures


It’s becoming less of a taboo for men to undergo cosmetic procedures and there’s one in particular that more and more men are seeking out – neck surgery.

An overwhelming 68% of doctors say they expect to have more patients (mainly men) requesting work done on the chin or neck in 2016. 


Says Dr. Kaye: “The neck is an area of particular concern for men because it tends to be very noticeable above the shirt collar. If a patient has loose neck skin or fatty deposits under the chin it can hang over the collar and create an unflattering appearance.

“A chiselled jawline is a classic feature of masculinity, so removing excess tissue and restoring definition can do wonders for a man’s appearance and their confidence.”


Are you considering a new look in 2016? Whatever treatment you’d like, drop us a line for more information or to book your free consultation. Click here to contact us.