New In Beauty

Fillers create maximum impact

Dr. Alistair Carruthers is known to many of his peers as the 'King of Botox'. The Vancouver-based dermatologist is also an artist whose canvas is the human face and whose materials include a wide range of injectable fillers.

"Before a patient opens their mouth, they present aspects of themselves that a doctor must take into consideration," says Carruthers. "There are things like lifestyle and religious beliefs that affect what a doctor and patient ultimately decide on."

Carruthers was the principal investigator on a recent study done by Q-Med, the manufacturers of Perlane and Restylane. "I have been using Perlane a lot in the nasal-labial folds. It's especially effective right up near the nose." He also says it's excellent for filling out concavities and straightening out the jawline. "But I prefer Restylane for lips," he adds. "I find there is less pain and swelling." He also uses the filler in combination with collagen-Restylane provides the fullness, while collagen provides the shaping.

Longevity and safety are two key demands that his patients have. They have to trust their doctor-and they want the results to last. "Perlane lasts a long time, but there is no accurate way to measure how long that is. I'd say up to 20 per cent remains after a year, though most people don't believe it. You have to show them a picture of themselves before to make them realize how much is still left."

One of Carruthers' favourite techniques is to use Botox to complement a lip filler. "I inject a bit of Botox in the upper lip and the lower lip at the where the red and white areas meet, and it really enhances the filler. You won?t be able to whistle for the dog, but the results are great, he" laughs.

He likes to use collagen on people who want their lips plumped for a special occasion. "Many of my patients are high-profile and if they are going to appear at a function or on television, collagen gives a very precise response with little or no swelling and bruising."

What else is in Carruthers' arsenal? "I get excellent results with Artecoll when it's used in the right situations, like filling in hollows or the nasal-labial folds. I've also been getting similar results with Dermalive." His patients have also responded well to Hylaform Plus, which is used for deeper wrinkles. Carruthers adds that results are dependent on the injection technique of the doctor and many of the injectables can feel a little lumpy, especially at the beginning.

And the future holds more surprises. "I think we'll be hearing more about silicone oil. It has been used by HIV positive patients for 10 years or more to help with facial wasting." Carruthers feels that a lot of the concerns about silicone are the result of faulty science and that the oil may become another tool he can use.

Editorial Source:

Dr. Alistair Carruthers, Carruthers Dermatology Centre, 604-714-0222, www.carruthers.com.

A HEALTHY MOUTH=OVERALL HEALTH

Here's reason to smile: New research now links oral hygiene and an attractive smile to overall good health. Another health revolution has arrived, says author Dr. Michael Bonner, and there is no longer any separation between mouth medicine and body medicine. The mouth, he says, is a doorway to achieving peak health and wellness in all the body's systems.

In his book The Oral Health Bible, Bonner summarizes research that links periodontal disease to arteriosclerosis, diabetes, strokes, rheumatoid arthritis, lung infections, and premature births.  He advocates a regime of oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing, nutritional supplements, and regular visits to the dentist. Bonner quotes the Mayo (Clinic) brothers from 1910, "A person with a healthy mouth will live ten years longer."

HEAD: BRITS WANT COSMETIC SURGERY

What's new in merry ol' England, home of the stiff upper lip and the iron constitution?  Turns out, it's collagen injections and liposuction.  Across the pond, cosmetic surgery is more popular than ever.  According to a new survey, two-thirds of Brits want to change their looks with cosmetic surgery and one in ten has already gone under the knife.

Liposuction is top of the wish list, followed by Botox injections to eradicate wrinkles.  And who is it that the Brits want to look like?  Jennifer Lopez is the ideal model for women and the men would love to look like Brad Pitt.  The survey indicates that men believe cosmetic surgery would help them become sexier, while women want surgery to improve their confidence.