AESTHETICS

SKIN deep

COMMON CONDITIONS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM

BY DAVID BUICE

You may not usually think of your skin as one of your

bodily organs, but it is, and it plays many vital roles. Among others, the skin helps the body retain fluids to prevent dehydration, enables you to feel sensations, guards against infections by protecting against germs and bacteria, stabilizes body temperature, and helps your body synthesize vitamin D from sun exposure. COMMON SKIN DISORDERS

Like any other organ, the skin is susceptible to diseases caused by things that inflame, irritate, or clog your skin. Aside from skin cancer, the following are among the more common skin disorders, including some that are temporary and others that are more lasting. ACNE

This is a very common skin condition that causes pimples on the face, forehead, chest, shoulders, and upper back. Acne most commonly affects teenagers, and causes include stress, fluctuating hormone levels, high humidity, and the use of oily or greasy skincare products. ECZEMA

Also known as atopic dermatitis, eczema most often develops in childhood but can appear in adults. It may cause rashes around the face, scalp, neck, elbows, ankles, or legs. There is no known cure for eczema, though sometimes it resolves on its own. Medications to relieve its symptoms are available. PSORIASIS

This is an autoimmune disorder, and typical symptoms include itchy patches of skin that have an unusual appearance. In people with white skin, psoriasis typically appears as areas of red or pink skin with white scales. It may appear as gray, violet, or dark brown patches for African Americans. It can be treated with various medications.

ROSACEA

This fairly common skin disorder affects about 14 million Americans and is characterized by redness on the nose, chin, cheeks, and forehead. Over the years, the redness may become more noticeable, and small blood vessels may become visible. It appears more commonly in women than men, although it tends to be more severe in men. The cause of rosacea is unclear and is a subject of debate in the medical community. Genetics may play a role as a family history of rosacea increases the likelihood of suffering from the disorder. VITILIGO

Pronounced vit-il-EYE-go, this disorder causes white patches to appear on the skin when the skin cells that produce melanin, the chemical that gives skin its color, are destroyed by the body’s immune system. Sometimes the patches widen and spread, but commonly they stay in the same place for years. There is no cure for vitiligo, and medical treatment often involves either restoring skin color through repigmentation or eliminating the remaining color through depigmentation.

THE NOSE knows

OPTIONS FOR RESHAPING AND REFINING YOUR NOSE

BY ANNETTE BROOKS

Even a tiny adjustment to your nose can

significantly change your appearance. So, it’s no surprise that a transformative, highlycustomizable, long-lasting procedure like rhinoplasty — also known as nose job or nose surgery — is one of the most popular facial plastic surgeries. Although rhinoplasty isn’t a magic cure-all, you might feel more selfassured and confident with a more flattering, proportionate, reshaped nose. People seek cosmetic rhinoplasty for various reasons, including: Narrow a wide bridge Reshape a bumpy bridge

Refine the shape of the tip Smooth general bumps, indentations, asymmetries Reshape large, wide, or upturned nostrils Decrease the overall size of the nose YOUR COSMETIC CONSULTATION Rhinoplasty is one of the most complex cosmetic surgeries and demands unparalleled expertise. Schedule consultations with at least three experienced, reputable, boardcertified plastic or facial cosmetic surgeons with a well-proven track record performing rhinoplasty. Prepare for your consultation by considering your goals for reshaping your nose, including psychological and cosmetic factors. Find images of nose shapes that appeal to you and bring them to your consultation. Keep in mind that while you may want a replica of a particular celebrity’s nose, it may not be

proportional to your facial structure. Bringing your nose into balance and harmony with your facial features helps ensure an outcome that looks natural. Your surgeon will discuss proportion with you, answer questions, review options and recommendations, and walk you through the details of your surgery and the recovery process. Be open to realistic expectations and have an honest discussion with your surgeon. Ask to browse before-and-after galleries of their actual rhinoplasty patients, particularly those with similar features to your own. Expect your surgeon to take photographs of your face and nose, then use technology that allows you to preview various nose styles on your face in 3D. While these images can’t guarantee that your outcome will look exactly like the 3D image, they should be reasonably close. Discuss what results may be possible and appropriate for you with the surgeon as you view your pictures. THE PROCEDURE AND RECOVERY

Rhinoplasty is an outpatient surgery that usually lasts one-and-a-half to three hours. General anesthesia is typically used, although your surgeon may provide the option of local anesthesia with sedation depending on the extent of the procedure. The adjustments your surgeon makes to your nose and the techniques used depend on your goals for your appearance and your unique facial anatomy. Your surgeon will go through these with you during your consultation. When the surgery is complete and the incisions are closed, a splint and possibly nasal packing may be used to support the healing tissues. Carefully follow the recovery and care instructions provided. Expect your nose to be swollen and bruised, and you may experience bruising around your eyes which will fade in about a week. Results are visible in a few weeks after the swelling subsides. However, your final nose shape may not be completely visible for up to a year after surgery once everything is fully healed, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

What is a Liquid Nose Job?

Injectable dermal fillers are popular alternatives to traditional plastic surgery. One use growing in popularity is a liquid nose job (nonsurgical rhinoplasty). Dermal fillers are injected into the nose to alter its shape during the procedure, and results are instant with little to no downtime. Nonsurgical nose jobs can address isolated nose deformities, such as a hump in the bridge or minor asymmetries. They also enable you to try out a reshaped nose and determine whether you want to undergo rhinoplasty. When considering a liquid nose job, keep in mind the results are temporary, lasting anywhere from four to five months to a year or more, depending on the filler used. Also, injecting filler adds volume to the nose. Although there are techniques to create the illusion of a smaller nose, a liquid nose job may not be the right option if your goal is to decrease your nose size.