Tag Archives: lips

Celebrity Nightmare Lips

Dr. Bonnie Marting

Why do some women think you can never get enough of a good thing? I may agree with that on some things, like chocolate and LV handbags, but not when it comes to your lips! Ladies, here’s a tip- Don’t puff up your pout if it makes you look like a trout!

Too much of a good thing is a bad thing. So why are so many women, especially well-known previously beautiful celebrities doing this to their faces? What are they thinking when they look in the mirror? I’ll tell you what I think- I think they look like Amphiprioninae. What is that you ask? Well, it’s the scientific name for Clown Fish! Those lips, those cheeks, the colorful makeup and hair…it all fits. In an underwater world, these qualities would be considered beautiful, but obviously we’re not talking fish here, we’re talking human ladies who have simply swam too far upstream looking for beauty fixes.

So why can’t they see what we all see? Maybe they’ve become addicted to the change. I find myself convincing clients they may need to “slow down’ on their cosmetic enhancements. Many times the thrill of seeing their face transform is addictive and they want to keep chasing the thrill. As these procedures wear off, they naturally want to experience it all over again. That is when they must be reminded that less is more.

Lips should be soft and natural looking. The shape can be enhanced, and most women do lose their fuller lip shape as they age; so it’s nice when enhancement is done correctly. But enhance them, don’t enlarge them to the point we’re looking at Duck Bills, Platypus pads or blubbery protrusions that look like you were stung by several thousand lip-seeking bees.
In addition to lip blow-ups, I’m seeing an increasing amount of protruding cheeks. And I’m talking about extended face cheeks here, not the kind hidden in their spandex leggings. Women really should remember that cheeks should not protrude forward- we’re not landing a plane here. Your cheeks should be an oval that extends from behind your eye on the side and ends before reaching the center side of your face. That creates a nice beautiful cheekbone, not the unhealthy unnatural looks we’re seeing in some celebrity cosmetic procedures.

Lastly, I know that these women couldn’t have done this to themselves alone. Someone actually was willing to create these atrocities. Make sure when you seek a professional to enhance your lips or cheeks that you describe exactly what you want…and even more precisely what you don’t want. Face it- you want to look great, not like Shark bait.

Beautiful Lips without Surgery!

Dr. Bonnie Marting

If we’re brutally honest with ourselves, most of us were not blessed with naturally full, gorgeous lips like the ones adoring Angelina Jolie and Scarlett Johanssen. And the worst part is, as we age- lips only get thinner. So, what’s a girl to do? Most people, especially men, are fascinated by lips. The mouth historically has been associated with sexuality and reproduction. In early Egyptian records it’s been reported that Cleopatra wore bright colored lipstick to entice Julius Caesar with her red luscious lips. Times haven’t really changed much since then.

Lips come in all shapes and sizes. Following our teen years, our lips begin to lose their fullness and volume. This depletion continues throughout adulthood, until depending on our age- we can be left with mere lines adorning our faces.

Thankfully we can alter this process and re-create the youthful full lips we had as a teenager. The best time to alter this is when the volume loss begins. As in the picture below, a more pronounced Cupid’s bow was immediately achieved with Restylane.

You can also acquire more upturned corners, and a fuller pout on the bottom lip (commonly referred to as a bee sting).

Both Juvederm and Restylane (the preferred fillers for lips) are products made of hyaluronic acid. This is something your body already naturally contains. A gel form of this hyaluronic substance is injected into the lips and because the body recognizes the material, it absorbs it and allows it to remain for an extended period of time. A treatment may last from 6 months to a year.

Should you try it? If you want fuller lips and a more pronounced shape, I say definitely yes. But please make sure you find a skilled injector and ask to see the before and after pictures of previous patients. You want confidence in knowing they can place the Restylane or Juvederm precisely to give you the look you desire.

What should you not try? I don’t recommend implants or injectable silicone. I strongly advise you to stay away from both of these options. You only need to look in a fashion magazine to see some real Celebrity horror shows who have received lip implants and silicone. The possibility of ending up with duckbills is real. And if it’s done wrong, it might not be easy (or even possible) to remove.

Most importantly, ask yourself if you’d like to have a fuller pout and pucker. If so, give it a try. It’s easy, fast and relatively painless. You will see the results immediately! And that isn’t lip service. That’s a fact!

Watch Years Literally Disappear

Dr. Bonnie Marting

Though Sculptra has been approved and used in the US for over five years, many people still haven’t heard of it. Little do they realize that this injectable facial filler is a tried and true collagen booster that allows your skin to naturally reverse the aging process.

Believe me, I know, it sounds too good to be true. But the pictures above show you just how dramatic the results can be. This product stands alone in its ability to improve the contour of your face and eliminate wrinkles.
Sculptra naturally and gently replaces and grows collagen lost over time. Quite simply, using this product will erase years off your face. And it does it in a good, healthy way. Not only does it stimulate collagen, but the newly produced collagen is healthier than what it replaced. That’s because it doesn’t have those nasty free radicals I’m constantly telling you about. This increased growth depends on better vascular function and so nourishment to your skin is amplified.

What does this mean to you exactly? Well for one, less wrinkles and a more youthful presentation. It also results in improved facial contour. As we age, many of us lose the gentle slope that gives our faces the fuller, rounded cheekbones. You can see that clearly below in this beautiful ladies improved appearance. It’s amazing this is the same person.
That’s just how incredible using this filler can be! It doesn’t happen overnight, but it doesn’t take long at all to begin to see the results. You’ll enjoy incredible softness and look great. People will tell you how refreshed and youthful you look.

So remember the name Sculptra. It is the best thing you can use to achieve magical results without plastic surgery!

I Want To Look Great- By Tonight!

Dr. Bonnie Marting

Living in Palm Beach provides lots of opportunities for high-profile events. Whether it’s a gala, a charity fund-raiser, or a party at one of the many Country clubs, everyone strives to look their best. No matter where you live, if you’ve got big plans tonight you want to do everything in your power to look great.

Since you’ve only got a few hours to get ready and gorgeous, I suggest focusing on your make-up. If you ever check out the beautiful CNN newscasters, you’ll see they always look flawless- no matter what time of day it is, or where they’re reporting from. This is not because of genetics- it’s because of their makeup bag.
Seriously, a great concealer and foundation can remove multiple flaws, minimize wrinkle appearance, and provide you with an almost perfect complexion. While ideally, you don’t want to be wearing heavy make-up all the time; for a special occasion like tonight- it could be a huge life-saver.

I suggest a mineral makeup, such as Glo Minerals. Go to a Sephora store (I find them in every mall I’ve ever visited) and the artists there can help you try on several to achieve the look you’re aiming for. Sometimes the key to looking flawless and carefree is to paint the beautiful canvas known as your face. With a touch of the right make-up, any worry you had that looked monumental at sunrise can be fixed, hidden, and unnoticeable by the time of toasting!

Now go relax and enjoy your night. And don’t forget to smile for the cameras!

Beauty and Your Pocketbook With Botox, Sculptra & More

Dr. Bonnie Marting

I advise all clients to shop around when they’re trying to choose a provider to do their beauty procedures. Though you’re not exactly car-shopping, many of the same techniques to help you decide should be used. You are looking for comfort, safety, performance and price.

One big exception to that analogy is that we are talking about your face here, so when asking about products, realize that you’re also paying for the security of knowing the medical provider is skilled, the product will be able to provide you with what result you’re looking for, and that the price is something you can accept.

So, with that said- what are some average prices for the most commonly used beauty enhancements? Unfortunately this is a tough question because it varies so much. Lets deal with the most popular treatment first, Botox. In some cases, Botox can vary between $150 dollars to $1,200. This is an extreme difference! Why would one office charge $200 for Botox while another bills you $1200? That’s the type of question that will arise when you do internet searches or even call around in your area for price points. They rarely give you any details, just “special prices.” So what are you to do?

Botox
First look at the unit cost. If you ask the office for a unit price, they should be able to tell you. And if you know the unit price and have had the procedure before, you can estimate the total by multiplying that unit cost (say 15 dollars a unit) by the number of units used previously. But that wont help if they charge by the area. Some offices charge by facial areas. Many will say “3 areas covered” in the total price. So if you have a frown line between your eyes, that would be one area, and your crow’s feet (naturally one on each side) would be two more, for a total of 3 areas treated.

Here is a little quick advice: NEVER shop for the cheapest price point then show up for your appointment prepared to only pay that much. Remember, many times if something sounds too good to be true- as in $150 dollars for a Botox treatment, it probably isnt. Many times when you get in the office, the rate changes or suddenly there was a “misunderstanding”. Don’t be so intimidated you just stay. Leave and leave fast.

The new kid on the block in muscle relaxers is Dysport. And it’s an excellent product. Unfortunately Dysport is measured in a different manner, so the advice above regarding units only pertains to the Botox product line. The “by area” price with still hold true with either of them though.
Now lets look at some popular filler guidelines for you to use in your search-

Restylane and Juvederm
You may have seen advertised specials for Restylane and Juvederm ranging between 300 dollars to 700 dollars. Both of these hyaluronic acids will be great fillers for you, but beware if the price touted drops below 300 dollars. Many times a special in this price point has hidden in fine print it is only for a half-syringe. That amount won’t do much unless your needs are for very, very subtle changes. With that said the average price you should expect to see for these products are between $500 and $600 dollars. (It could be a bit more if you’re receiving Perlane or Juvederm Plus because they are larger molecule products).

As I’ve said many times, dont be taken in by the highest prices, but be even warier of the lowest…many times these offices are desperate. An office producing great results with qualified medical providers will never be at a loss for customers!

Sculptra
Sculptra, produced by Sanofi-Aventis, has been around since 2004. Though the cost has decreased slightly in the last 7 years, it is still pricey. Sculptra is sold by the vial (or occasionally by the cc) and the average price is $750 to $900, but I’ve seen it hit the $1500 range as well. The most important thing to remember with this procedure is the competence of the practitioner. Make sure they are experienced and an expert at these injections. In the right hands, this treatment is absolutely phenomenal. The results are not immediate, but they are impressive as they begin to take effect and transform your face making you look younger and more refreshed.

Radiesse
Radiesse is another product released in 2004. Back then, you really didn’t see it for less than $900, but now this robust calcium-based product is sometimes advertised for as little as $500. If you want immediate-effect sculpting, this is a super option. By comparison, a syringe of Radiesse contains 1.55 cc in contrast with the 1 cc you’ll receive in Restylane and .8cc of Juvederm amounts. Though the top of the line Radiesse can still demand $900 dollars, you’ll be amazed at the difference in your appearance. I think you’ll find it is well worth the expense.

In conclusion, whatever you do, don’t shop simply for price. Research the practitioner and their experience; the office and its volume of clients; product turnover (you don’t want anything that’s expired, do you?) and the reputation of the facility itself. In this, as in almost every purchase you make, you ususally get what you pay for. And a good reputation is worth a few extra bucks!

Sculptra Builds Your Own Collagen

Dr. Bonnie Marting

Many people are starting to talk about Sculptra- its even putting a dent in Plastic Surgeons appointment books. Sculptra is what I call the magic injectable because it stimulates new growth of your own collagen. Over time, your skin will be healthier, the collagen stronger, and your overall look will be fantastic!

Check out the picture above. You can see the dramatic difference that Sculptra made in the contour of her cheeks, her complexion, and the overall firmness and structure. Though it’s not immediate, the results are long lasting. And in only 6 months, you can literally erase 10 years off your appearance. I’ve seen patients that have achieved a 20 year difference from using this product! And the best part is- you’re doing something good for yourself.

Sculptra makes your skin healthier. It helps your own skin generate collagen that is free of harmful radicals. The new collagen gives your face a fuller, more youthful look- and yet it’s all natural. No surgery needed.

So if you’re ready to get great results, then start now by setting up an appointment with a practitioner who is skilled in administering Sculptra. In 6 months you’ll be glad you made that visit! Be sure to send me your Before and After Pictures if you’d like to show others your success, or don’t…We’ll just keep it our little secret!

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