Archives March 2024

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder as they say, and can be hard to measure objectively. However, there are certain qualities that tend to bear repeating when individuals are asked to describe what they find attractive in a person. What makes a nose beautiful?

One of the parts of the body that tends to draw attention is an individual’s nose. Positioned prominently in the center of one’s face, the nose can be a deal breaker in terms of appearance for many people. Many of these qualities are considered beautiful because they match one’s unique facial features well.

What Makes a Nose Beautiful?

If you’re curious about the qualities that many find beautiful in a nose, take a look at this primer that describes many of the common qualities that are often cited for individuals seeking plastic surgery in Beverly Hills.

Horizontal Thirds and Vertical Fifths

Many of the elements of one’s appearance that are considered attractive are based on a style of mathematics of the face. Put otherwise, people tend to find symmetry appealing, and there are certain proportions that can be applied to the human face that tend to make them more appealing or desirable.

One of the more commonly referenced elements of these proportions is the idea of “horizontal thirds” in regards to the face. This rule dictates that an appealing and proportional face can be split into three equal parts. This idea posits that the nose should take up approximately one-third of the overall face height. The closer that the nose is able to achieve these proportions, the more appealing the face, generally speaking.

Accompanying the horizontal rule of thirds is the vertical rule of fifths. This rule posits that the nose should take up approximately one fifth of the vertical space of the face. If a nose is either too slim or too wide, then generally speaking, the nose isn’t considered as attractive. The fifths in the vertical rule of fifths are generally measured by the width of a patient’s eye.

Elements of the Ideal Nose

Nowadays, medical professionals are able to model ideas of what makes a perfect nose digitally, drawing from the extensive literature surrounding the subject through various studies. These studies observe many of the elements surrounding the angels and dimensions of the face. Some of the findings in these studies have found the following qualities to be ideal:

· A straight dorsum

· A nose length that is approximately .67x the midfacial height

· A nose that has a nasolabial angle of 95-115 degrees in women and 90-95 degrees in men

· The projection of the nose is approximately half of the nasal dorsal length

Generally speaking, there are certain differences to be found in the ideal nose for men and women. More obtuse angles are considered more attractive in women, while more acute angles are considered more attractive in men. Many claim that round, soft features are more attractive in women, while stronger and more angular features are more attractive in men.

Many of these elements illustrate the fact that there is no easy answer in terms of describing the ideal nose, as much of what constitutes the ideal nose is dependent on the accompanying aspects of the face.

Changing the Nose with Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty has the potential to change many of the primary features of the nose, amounting to a total change in appearance. Some of the common areas of focus include the following aspects of the nose:

· Nose width

· Dorsal hump

· Narrowing the nostrils

· The angle of the nose tip

· The shape of the nose tip

Your physician will take into account the unique features of your face when determining what elements of your nose to modify.

Types of Noses

Noses come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, though medical professionals have partitioned most of the shapes they come in into a variety of sub-types. Most noses are able to fall into the following categories:

• Greek nose: A Greek nose is characterized by a completely straight line from the bridge to the tip.
• Upturned nose: The upturned nose is smaller than the other types, and represents the most commonly requested type of nose in rhinoplasty.
• Aquiline nose: This nose has a pronounced bridge and a curved or bent shape. These noses are also known as “eagle noses” or “hawk noses”.
• Nubian nose: The Nubian nose is a long nose with a wide base, common among certain ethnicities.

Your First Stop for a Rhinoplasty

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Inc. is the premiere destination for individuals looking to enhance their appearance with rhinoplasty. If you’re thinking about receiving this type of treatment, contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Can you combine a breast lift with other procedures? Most women have been raised in a society where full, firm, and perky breasts are considered attractive. This can lead women whose breasts do not meet this standard of beauty to feel less endowed, less attractive, less feminine, and, therefore, inadequate.

Can You Combine a Breast Lift With Other Procedures?

The impact of these societal expectations goes beyond mere aesthetics and affects a woman’s self-confidence and overall sense of self-worth.

Today, women can dictate the size and shape of their breasts. They no longer have to be stuck with feelings of inadequacy all their life. Cosmetic surgery has seen significant changes over the years. With modern science and techniques, cosmetic surgery offers the women of today safe options that can enhance the appearance of their breasts and boost their self-confidence to a whole new level.

One of the popular options that women take is mastopexy. This surgical procedure is otherwise known as breast lift.  

Those who take this option are women whose ample breasts are sagging due to breastfeeding or due to age and menopause. They have the volume, but they want to bring back the pre-mama or pre-menopause perkiness of their breasts.  

Women who experience substantial weight loss also experience sagging breasts and may want to take this option.

Contrary to what some people may think, small breasts can sag, too, if a woman has lost a lot of weight. Women who are in this situation may think about getting both a breast lift and a breast augmentation.  

One question that needs to be addressed in these circumstances is: Can you combine a breast lift with other procedures?

Before we answer that, let’s look at how a breast lift is performed.

How Is Breast Lift Performed?

1. Under the supervision of a licensed anesthesiologist, your surgeon will put you under anesthesia.  
2. He will then make the incision. The type of incision will depend on the size of your breasts and the amount of sagging.  
3. He will then begin reshaping your breasts. This will involve lifting the underlying breast tissue and reshaping it for improved contour and firmness. The nipple and areola may also be repositioned for a more natural and attractive height. Sometimes, enlarged areolas will need to be reduced. The surgeon may also remove excess breast skin if necessary.  
4. Your surgeon will close the incisions. 

The entire procedure will take around 2 hours or less.

Are you a candidate for breast lift with augmentation?

✔ You have small sagging breasts.

✔ You want your breasts to be perkier, bigger, and fuller.

✔ breastfeeding has caused your breasts to sag and lose volume.

✔ You want to lift your breasts and restore the volume that they lost 

    due to weight loss. 

✔ You don’t smoke.

✔ You are generally healthy with no underlying medical conditions

Breast Lift and Other Procedures

If you consider your breasts too big and would like to reduce their size, you can have them reduced in combination with the breast lift.

A breast lift may be combined with other procedures as well, like a tummy tuck or liposuction.  

Benefits of Combining Procedures

Combining procedures will allow you to:

1. Address most, if not all, of your cosmetic issues in one surgical visit.
2. Undergo one recovery period.
3. Reduced overall time in surgery.
4. Reduce time away from work.
5. Minimize time away from social events.

With all the advantages of combining a breast lift with another procedure, it is still important to note that combining procedures increases the complexity and risks of each procedure.  

In the end, it will still be your decision. Make sure that you are well informed about the procedures, the potential risks involved, and what you can expect during the recovery process. 

It is, therefore, crucial to find a board-certified surgeon you can trust so that you can discuss your concerns with him.  

Remember that each individual is unique. Your body is unique from that of others. It has its own unique needs and peculiarities. What may be applicable to someone you know may not apply to you. Because of this, you must remember to discuss your medical history, current health situation, and other health concerns with your surgeon.

BHPSI

Dr. Chiu has the medical knowledge, expertise, and training to provide you with the proper guidance and customized surgical plan for your unique situation.

At Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery, our team of experts is always ready to address your concerns and provide you with expert guidance. Call us at +1 (310) 888-8087.

Stretch marks aren’t a medical concern, but they are something that most people find to be aesthetically unpleasant. Following this, many individuals choose to remove these marks surgically in order to restore their appearance to something that they’re happy with. So can hormones cause stretch marks?

There are many different plausible causes for stretch marks, and determining the source of your own might help you to treat your own. One of the more common sources for the formation of stretch marks is the production of the stress hormone cortisol.

Can Hormones Cause Stretch Marks?

If you’re suffering from stretch marks, take a look at this guide that describes some of the elements surrounding this procedure in cosmetic dermatology. 

What Are Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks, or striae, are indented streaks that appear on the abdomen, breasts, and other areas of the body. There is the potential for these marks to appear almost anywhere on the body, and they are oftentimes the result of the skin being stretched past its point of comfort, which creates an abnormal appearance.

Overall, stretch marks aren’t painful or medically concerning but appear in a way that most people don’t like. Fortunately, many stretch marks don’t require treatment and will fade over time. On the other hand, many will never disappear completely without some type of treatment.

Severe stretch marks can impact one’s self-esteem and emotional health, so if you’re suffering from these side effects, it doesn’t hurt to investigate your treatment options so that you can restore your appearance and stop worrying about these elements. It likely will end up saving you a large amount of stress in the long run.

Symptoms of Stretch Marks

Stretch marks can appear in many different ways. They often depend on the contributing factors that have led to the development of the marks. Some of the more common appearances that stretch marks can take include the following:

· Bright streaks that fade away

· Streaks that cover large sections of the body

· Streaks of the following colors: pink, red, discolored, blue, black or purple

· Indented streaks or lines on the abdomen, hips, breasts, buttocks, or many other places on the body

The symptoms of stretch marks can vary wildly from patient to patient. In rare cases, stretch marks can cover wide parts of the body, mostly as a reaction to corticosteroid medications and rare conditions such as Cushing syndrome.

Although stretch marks aren’t medically concerning, you should look into medically treating your stretch marks if they cause you sufficient mental or emotional distress. Consulting with your physician should be able to help you create a treatment plan and identify your best path forward.

Causes of Stretch Marks

At its root, the primary cause of stretch marks is the stretching of the skin. How severe they are depends on several different factors, including your genetics, the degree of stress on your body and skin, as well as the presence of various hormones such as cortisol.

Cortisol is a stress hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands in situations of stress or heightened activity. This stress hormone has the potential to negatively impact many elements of the skin, including its elasticity.

Fortunately, many stretch marks will naturally fade over time, meaning that many individuals won’t have to resort to more serious treatments to deal with their own problems. However, there are many different treatment options available for those who wish to deal with their own medicine.

Risk Factors for Stretch Marks

Stretch marks can develop on anyone’s skin, but there are certain risk factors that can make their appearance more likely. Some of the more common risk factors that lead to the development of stretch marks include:

· The use of corticosteroids

· Exercise and the use of anabolic steroids

· Genetic disorders such as Cushing syndrome or Marfan syndrome

· Receiving breast enlargement surgery

· Rapidly weight gain or loss

· Rapid growth in adolescence or childhood

· Pregnancy, with special levels of risk occurring during the third trimester.

· Being prone to developing stretch marks in your personal or family history

You can discuss with your physician which risk factors might have a part to play in the development of your own stretch marks. This can help the two of you develop a plan to treat your own effectively.

Your Trusted Resource for Cosmetic Dermatology

Epione Beverly Hills is one of the best resources you have for your various needs for cosmetic surgery. If you have visible stretch marks that you would like to have removed, take a look at our website and contact us to schedule an appointment to discuss your non-surgical stretch mark removal. 

Sleep apnea is associated with a variety of health considerations, including oral health issues. Interestingly, some dental problems can contribute or even cause sleep apnea. In this article we will talk about the connection between dental health and sleep apnea. We will also answer the question: “How treating sleep apnea improves oral health?” 

Why Is Sleep Apnea Dangerous

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder associated with breath interruptions during sleep cycles. The danger of sleep apnea is that it disrupts oxygen flow to the lungs. This can increase blood pressure, strain the heart, negatively influence energy levels and mental performance throughout the day. Needless to say, these side effects have long-term health complications. 

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea, as any other illness, should be diagnosed by your doctor. However, there is a list of symptoms that, if present, can prompt you to consult a specialist. You might suffer from sleep apnea if the following happens during sle:

• Loud snoring
• Gasping for air
• Interruptions in breathing 
• Waking up with a headache and/or dry mouth
• Trouble staying asleep

Also, there are symptoms associated with sleep apnea that can be present during the day:

• Decreased energy levels and fatigue
• Decreased concentration and forgetfulness
• Irritability
• Anxiety and depression (especially in women)
• Asthma exacerbation, or bed-wetting in children

Oral Health Issues Associated with Sleep Apnea

Deep and sufficient sleep is crucial for the health of the whole body. Sleep Apnea disrupts sleep cycles, resulting in all sorts of problems. Some illnesses that might develop as a result of sleep apnea include: 

Bruxism (teeth grinding and jaw clenching)

You might not know that you grind your teeth and clench your jaw at night, because it happens involuntarily when you are asleep. Indicators that you have bruxism might include:

• Headaches, jaw and neck pain
• Erosion of teeth surfaces
• Cracked, chipped and even broken teeth
• Sore spots inside the mouth
• Lips, mouth and throat dryness upon awakening

Some of these symptoms can be spotted only by your dentist. That is why we recommend having regular checkups at the dental office. Diagnosing a problem at an early stage increases the chances of successful treatment.

TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder

Temporomandibular joints connect the lower and the upper jaws. Symptoms of TMJ disorder include:

• Jaw pain
• Head, neck and shoulders pain
• Difficulties chewing
• Clicking sounds in the jaw joints
• Locked jaw or inability to open or close your mouth for a period of time

Mouth Breathing

Snoring and gasping for air caused by sleep apnea go hand in hand with breathing through your mouth instead of your nose. This leads to mouth and throat dryness and tooth decay. It also increases the risk of mouth sores, gingivitis (gum inflammation), and gum disease.

How Treating Sleep Apnea Improves Oral Health

We recommend getting a professional opinion as soon as possible if you suspect you might have sleep apnea. Your dentist might suggest ways to alleviate the some symptoms of sleep apnea, making its negative effects on oral health less pronounced.

Possible courses of action for treating negative consequences of sleep apnea for oral health can include:

• Your dentist might refer you to a specialist who can prescribe CPAP treatment. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine generates pressure with the help of a small and quiet motor. The air is taken in through a filter, pressurized, and delivered via a tube to the mask worn by a patient during sleep.
• Orthodontics treatments might be used to fix teeth and bite misalignment. This can reduce strain in the jaw joints, reduce neck and back pain.
• Dental mouthpiece can be used in managing teeth grinding and jaw clenching habits. In fact, this is an extremely effective way to improve sleep and oral health. Ask your dentist to recommend a mouthpiece that is suitable for you. 

Sleep apnea treatment and available dental treatments for problems associated with sleep apnea, can noticeably improve oral and overall health. The risks of tooth decay and gum disease can be significantly reduced as well. This can have a positive influence on the heart and digestive system, as these are two organs weakened the most by dental infections.

Make an Appointment Today

As we mentioned before, untreated sleep apnea can be associated with a big range of cardiovascular (hypertension, atherosclerosis), brain (stroke, brain damage, cognitive dysfunction), metabolic (diabetes, obesity), and systemic (depression, anxiety) issues. Normal sleep is extremely important for staying healthy and having a good quality of life.

Make your first step towards improving your sleep and dental health today by making an appointment at our office. We are looking forward to welcoming you at Smiles of Arcadia. 

Implants are a fantastic modern solution for people who need to replace their natural teeth. Tooth loss can occur due to many different factors, but regardless of the reason, it causes significant inconvenience in daily life. Dental implants can be used to replace one tooth or as many as the whole set of 32 teeth. If you are considering choosing implants as a dental restoration option, you might be wondering: how do full mouth implants feel? Below we will answer this question and talk about the procedure of dental implants in our dental office.

What is Full Mouth Implants Dental Restoration?

Full mouth implants solution does not mean that you will have screws for all 32 teeth inserted in your mouth. Typically, 4 or 6 implant posts are used per arch. This number is sufficient for supporting full fixed arch or prosthetic teeth. 

The Procedure Of Full Mouth Implants

If there are still some natural teeth in your mouth that you need to remove in order to get the full mouth implants for dental restoration, it will be done as a first step. The procedure of getting full mouth implants starts with a scan and checking your medical history to make sure that you are eligible for receiving dental implants and that your mouth will be able to heal successfully. Then a customized treatment plan is made. Choosing the shape, size, and shade of your future implants is the next step.

On the day of the surgery, the necessary number of metal posts will be screwed into your jawbone, and a temporary set of teeth will be placed in your mouth. Typically, some time is allowed for the implanted posts to fuse with your bone and for the healing process. When this is done, a permanent dental restoration will be placed in your mouth.

How Do Full Mouth Implants Feel?

Dental implants are a very comfortable permanent teeth replacement solution. It has numerous advantages compared to, for example, dentures, when it comes to eating and maintaining oral hygiene. On top of that, dental implants look great. 

This being said, full mouth implants do not feel exactly like your natural teeth. The main difference between natural teeth and dental implants is that the latter, being fully artificial, do not have nerves. The absence of nerves means that dental implants can not feel pressure, changes in temperature, or pain. Having a full set of artificial teeth can feel unusual at first and might require some time to get used to. Typically it takes about 1 to 2 months to get used to having full mouth dental implants.

Dental implants are a considerable improvement in comfort compared to lack of teeth or to dentures. Another advantage of dental implants being artificial teeth is that they will not get cavities or require complicated treatments like, for example, root canal therapy. The only issue that can occur with full mouth implants is inflammation or infection around the 

Full Mouth Dental Implants Versus Dentures

Dentures

Dentures tend to allow only about 30% of the natural chewing force. This means that eating a lot of the foods you are used to becomes a big challenge or impossible. On top of that, the whole roof of the mouth is covered with dentures, meaning that a lot of the taste buds are blocked from experiencing the taste of food. 

Most dentures use suction to be attached to your gums. You can also use adhesive to help them stay in place. Dentures can sometimes get dislodged or fall out unexpectedly when eating, causing a lot of inconvenience, discomfort, or even pain to the patient. 

You have to take them out after every meal to clean. Also, you should take them out for the night  to store in water or a special solution.

Snapping Dentures

This dental restoration is supported by dental implants. When putting it in, it is literally snapped onto the implanted posts. This makes it more secure than the traditional dentures and gives you about 60 to 65 % of your natural chewing force. 

The snaps can wear out over time and typically have to be replaced every 1 to 2 years. Otherwise the dentures become loose and can start getting dislodged when eating too easily. This type of dentures is removable and should be removed and cleaned well after every meal. You can taste food better with this type of dentures, as they do not cover the roof of your mouth.

Full Mouth Dental Implants

The biting force with full mouth dental implants is the same as with your natural teeth. On top of that, they do not cover the roof of your mouth. The pressure from the bite is distributed evenly throughout the mouth. This means that you will be able to enjoy a wide range of foods without issue. 

When getting full mouth dental implants, everything is completely customizable: the color and shape of the teeth, and even the color of the part representing the gums. Dental implants are made from very strong materials, do not easily break, and tend to last 10 years on average. They are secure in your mouth, are not removable and do not ever shift around or feel loose. 

The cleaning process of full mouth implants is similar to that of real teeth. However, flossing is different and takes time getting used to. You will be taught how to properly care for your full mouth implants by your dentist.

Make an Appointment Today

Getting dental implants can be a big decision to make. But getting dental implants in Arcadia is a great option. In Smiles of Arcadia we will make sure to carefully examine your case and to suggest the best solution for you. Our dental implant specialists are looking forward to welcoming you to our office.

It should go without saying that having a healthy heart is vital to living life to its highest potential. Poor heart health has the potential to be highly debilitating and in its most intense degree, deadly. Below, we cover how to destress your heart.

However, there are many different ways that an individual can take their heart health into their own hands and try to improve it, in conjunction with the recommendations of cardiology doctors. Doing so can make the difference between having a healthy heart and developing issues down the line.

How to Destress Your Heart

If you’re considering the health of your heart and would like to stay on top of it any way that you can, take a look at this list of ways that you can help to destress your heart.

Stress and the Heart

Over time, stress has the potential to impact one’s heart health in profound ways. That being said, the exact science behind this can be somewhat difficult to pin down, as every individual’s experience of stress is somewhat different.

However, the effects of stress on the heart have the potential to impact the heart in severe ways, leading to a number of devastating consequences, including the following conditions:

• Heart disease
• Mood disorders
• Sleep issues
• Appetite issues
• Decreased energy

In addition, stress can influence one’s behavior, which can lead one to making decisions that are furtherly unhealthy for one’s heart. This includes drinking excessive alcohol, smoking, or eating unhealthy food. Thus, stress management becomes a balancing act between coping with stress and dealing with unhealthy habits.

Ways to Destress the Heart:

1.  Exercise

Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your health in general, and it greatly improves your prospects for delaying the development of various health issues of the heart. The type of exercise that you choose to engage in is up to you. However, aerobic exercise is considered key for the maintenance of heart health. Jogging, swimming, and other types of exercise can help improve your blood pressure, strengthen your heart muscle, and help you maintain a healthy weight.

2.  Meditation

Meditation is another activity that can help you maintain a sense of equilibrium surrounding the health of your heart. There are many different styles of meditation available to try, and you don’t have to be an adherent to a particular religion to participate in them. Meditation has been shown to relax the body and the mind, and give individuals an edge in the health of their heart.

3.  Stay Positive

Staying positive has the potential to give you a boost in your heart health. Laughing and keeping a positive attitude has been shown to benefit one’s health in general, and reduce stress hormones, reduce inflammation in the arteries, and increase the beneficial types of cholesterol.

4.  Unplug

We are constantly barraged with various types of information in our modern world due to the fact that we have unlimited amounts of information at the end of our noses all of the time. Although this access to information and entertainment has many benefits, the stress it can induce can affect one’s health over time. Taking some time to unplug from television and your phone can be a big boost to your health in general and give you more time to focus on the things that are truly important in life.

5.  Find Ways to Destress

Sometimes, destressing can be a highly personal process and one that can be quite fun. Actively seeking out things that reduce your stress and make you feel better can involve many different things. This can include activities like the following:

• Listening to music
• Taking a bath
• Taking a long walk
• Picking up a hobby
• Focusing less on work

Of course, you’ll have many other options on your hands in terms of finding the things that destress you on a personal level. Brainstorming this with your physician is one of the things that you can do when you consult with your cardiologist.

The Top Cardiologist in Los Angeles

Setting up a consultation with a professional cardiologist can give you a head start on attaining optimal heart health. That’s why finding one that you connect with can be a key element of your long-term health plan. When it comes to the health of your heart, short cuts simply won’t do.

Apex Cardiology is the top cardiologist in the Los Angeles area, giving its patients the best treatment options possible to give them optimal heart health. If you want to talk with an expert about your heart health, then contact us today to schedule a cardiac stress test.