Why to Choose a Cosmetic Surgeon for Injectables

Cosmetic surgeons like myself have received extensive medical education, certification, and hands-on training, and specialize in giving our patients sound advice and the best service possible. The same cannot be said for the staff at some medical spas and salons. Would you trust an untrained person to perform surgery on you? No. Don’t trust an under-trained person to inject something into your body.

Beware of Frozen Foreheads

Have you ever seen a person who can’t smile because her forehead is frozen and expressionless? Or a woman with overly plump “duck lips”. Caveat Emptor — let the buyer beware! A trained cosmetic surgeon will tell you exactly what your face needs, which injections will complement your facial features, and how injectables can help you achieve your desired look.

Entrusting your health to under-trained spa staff can lead to undesired results, and can be dangerous for your health. Injecting one of these products into the wrong place — even if it’s just a few millimeters off place or too deep — can make you look different than you had hoped to. When used in the wrong place or in too great an amount, Botox can leave you expressionless and can cause your eyebrows to droop — a look few people want.

Protect Your Health

Certified health professionals take great care to make sure that their Botox and other injectable needles are sterile and pure, and you should settle for nothing less. Injectable treatments performed anywhere other than at a doctor’s office can lead to infection, and you won’t be able to go back to the spa to receive proper medical care.

If you have any questions about injectables or are interested in visiting our office for treatment, contact us!

Are You Board Certified?

Choosing a board-certified cosmetic surgeon is incredibly important. You shouldn’t trust your health to anyone who isn’t certified and very well regarded in his or her field and local community.

Also inquire as to what area of medicine their board certification is in. Physicians specialize in specific fields of medicine so they can be more highly trained, educated, and skilled, and therefore give you better service. Make sure that the surgeon you’re speaking with is board certified in cosmetic surgery and well regarded in his community.

What’s Your Training?

Ask if he or she was trained specifically in the field of plastic surgery. Reputable plastic surgeons have years of experience performing cosmetic procedures and have an “eye” for producing the kind of results you’re looking for. Whether you want a dramatic change or a more subtle and natural one, your surgeon must have the training necessary to give you exactly what you want.

Choosing a reputable physician is also very important with injectable treatments such as Botox, Juvederm, and Dysport. Many spas (or medispas, as they sometimes call themselves) advertise that they perform injectable treatments, but you should be very wary of these claims. Just because Botox and Juvederm are quick does not mean that they’re simple, and only a properly trained cosmetic surgeon should administer anything that permanently or temporarily changes your facial appearance, especially with a needle. If injectables are delivered into the wrong place, results can be terrible; putting the needle even a centimeter off place can distort the results and give you an undesirable look. Plus you can’t be sure of the cleanliness and purity of the injectables in a salon, medical spa, or anywhere that isn’t a physician’s office.

Are You Experienced?

Inquire as to how many of these procedures he or she has performed, and ask if there are any patient testimonials that apply to what you’re looking for. What others have experienced can be a good indicator of what you are likely to experience, so make sure to do your research.

Cosmetic surgeons who are worth their price have performed many, many surgeries and are well versed in all popular procedures.

Is This Procedure Right For Me?

Your surgeon will be able to tell you if you’re a good candidate for the procedure you’re interested in, and if there are any obstacles in your way. Patients of certain ages or with certain health conditions should be advised against some types of surgery, and a good surgeon will evaluate your physical, mental, and emotional health before advising you to undergo surgery.

What About Complications?

It’s important for you to be aware that although rare, complications do occasionally arise, and reputable surgeons will know how to deftly handle these. You shouldn’t worry yourself unnecessarily, but for peace of mind, you should know that your surgeon has a plan to handle any complication.

What’s the Recovery Period?

Be aware of what to expect after you go home from your surgery. There will be down time with any surgery, but specific restrictions vary from procedure to procedure. A reputable surgeon will give you an after-surgery plan with instructions for self-care, as well as when to come back into the office for check-ups.

We pride ourselves in always being available for patients after their surgery is complete to ensure that they are healthy, comfortable, and happy with their results.

Ready to schedule a free cosmetic surgery consultation? Contact us!

In our cosmetic surgery practice, we see many patients who desire more evenly toned, plump, youthful skin. Achieving this look after your 20′s can seem like finding the Holy Grail, but I assure you, it is possible to regain a more youthful appearance, no matter your age or skin type.

Tip #1: Get to Know Your Face

Your skin is unique only to you; it’s different than your mother’s skin, your father’s skin, your spouse’s skin — and every unique skin has unique needs. If you don’t know your skin, you can’t treat or protect it properly.

Most of us do the same general skin care routine: wash, dry, and put something on it. But what should you use to wash? What’s that something you should put on it? That depends on what your skin needs and what your goals are.

We carry an array of skin care lines such as Neostrata, Obagi, SkinCeuticals, and NIA24, all of which address different skin concerns for our patients. Our talented aesthetician, Julie, is an expert at identifying and addressing your unique skin concerns with a combination of in-office treatments and take-home products.

Tip #2: Use Sunscreen Daily

What is the most important tip towards achieving youthful skin? Sunblock, sunblock, sunblock. Start when you’re young, use an SPF of at least 30, and make sure you’re applying enough product to adequately cover your skin.

Many makeup products and lotions claim to contain SPF, but often it’s only SPF 15 (if that!), and you’d have to use way more product than you want to to achieve proper SPF coverage. Caking on a heavy layer of foundation just to achieve adequate SPF coverage isn’t a flattering look and will work against your goals of appearing more youthful. We recommend applying non-comedogenic sunscreen of at least SPF 30 to your face, neck, ears, arms, and all regularly exposed skin on a daily basis before you layer on makeup or other lotions.

If you desired a tan look, look for an oil-free self tanner that’s specifically formulated for the face, such as this self tanning lotion by Mario Badescu.

For the body, self tanners have come a long way in recent years. Today’s versions won’t leave you orange and streaky (as long as you apply them as directed and exfoliate properly beforehand) and have much lighter smells. Remember to pay special attention to areas with thicker skin such as your elbows, knees, and ankles, and wipe off excess product there with a damp washcloth so you don’t get darker spots.

Tip #3: Exfoliate Regularly

Even the best skin care products can’t do their job properly if they have to fight through layers of dead skin to get to the fresh skin beneath.

Depending on your unique skin type, the general rule of thumb for exfoliation is to manually exfoliate no more than twice a week. That means scrubbing with a washcloth, facial brush, gritty scrub cleanser should be limited to twice per week. Any more than that could scratch your skin and do more harm than good.

Certain chemical exfoliants (like lotions and gels containing alpha hydroxy acids) can be used more frequently — sometimes daily — depending on their concentrations. Make sure you’re following the directions of your skin care products so they perform at maximum efficiency.

For a little more serious exfoliation, we recommend getting a microdermabrasion treatment. During a microdermabrasion session, our aesthetician, Julie, will use a special device to remove the worn outer layers of skin cells and expose the healthy cells beneath. Microdermabrasion treatments reduce the appearance of wrinkles, sun spots, and other skin imperfections.

Tip #4: Minimize Stress

As impossible as I know it sounds, it’s very important to reduce your stress levels to achieve a more healthy, youthful appearance.

Stress contributes to a multitude of health and beauty problems including heart issues, weight gain, high blood pressure, increased inflammation (i.e. fine lines and wrinkles), compromised immune function (i.e. hyperpigmentation, dehydration, and dullness), and blemished skin.

Lifestyle changes such as adding yoga or another regular exercise routine can help alleviate stress, and have the added benefit of making you sweat and thereby cleaning your pores.

Local yoga studio Evolution Power Yoga specializes in “hot” yoga, which is performed in a room with an average temperature of 80-90 degrees. During an hour-long hot yoga session you’ll burn calories, build muscle, turn off your brain, forget your other responsibilities for a little while, and sweat the day’s toxins from your pores. Just remember to take a shower afterwards, and exfoliate your skin with a gentle scrub or wash cloth to remove all that makeup and dead skin.

If yoga isn’t for you, there are many other ways to reduce stress and protect the health of your skin (and your whole body). Meditation, herbal tea, and other natural remedies all have been known to reduce stress levels, and certain skin care ingredients may soothe stressed-out skin. Look for ingredients like chamomile, aloe, lavender, hyaluronic acid, lemon (and other alpha hydroxy acids), and kelp.

Tip #5: Befriend Botox®

Botox® has forever changed the game of aging. This popular injectable treatment slows the progression of facial aging by temporarily freezing select facial muscles, thereby reducing existing wrinkles around the brow area and decreasing the likelihood of them returning in the future.

The most common areas targeted with Botox® are forehead lines, frown lines (also known as “elevens”), and crow’s feet around the eyes. If forehead-area lines are your top concern, Botox® is the least invasive, most effective, and fastest way to immediately look refreshed and younger.

For more information about any of our skin rejuvenation products or services, contact us!

Eating right and working out are crucial to getting you in shape and helping you stay there, but there are just some things that physical fitness can’t fix. We all have certain body issues to deal with — some more simple than others. So, to find out what people in the Lancaster and Central PA areas were thinking, we recently took a poll of what Facebook users would like to improve in themselves to get ready for beach season. Drumroll, please…

64% of you want flatter abs
25% of you want larger or higher breasts
7% of you want laser hair removal
4% of you want a smoother complexion

That’s pretty simple. Flatter abs, differently sized or positioned breasts, and not having to shave, wax, or worry about your complexion. We have solutions for each of those issues.
 

Get It: Flat Abs

A healthy combination of diet and exercise will get you far towards having a toned, flat stomach, but it’s very difficult to get your midsection in tip-top shape after you’ve had kids, lost a lot of weight, or — like most of us — struggle with those last few nagging pounds.

If you’re like most people, you do crunch after crunch after crunch, and eventually your results start to slow down. You plateau. It becomes discouraging — continuing to work out but seeing less results.

That’s where we can help. If you’ve incorporated different exercises and still aren’t seeing the results you desire, liposuction or a tummy tuck could be your solution.

Liposuction (sometimes called body sculpting or liposculpture) is a targeted, very specific way to lose certain pockets of stubborn fat, like our love handles or belly “pooch”. Liposuction won’t make you lose weight all over, but it can eliminate certain areas of concern and reveal the toned muscles hiding underneath.

A tummy tuck, or an abdominoplasty, is a popular procedure that’s designed to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen. This recontouring surgery results in a flatter abdomen and a trimmer and sleeker waistline.
 

Get It: Larger or Higher Breasts

Women try so many things to get their breasts where they want them; push-up bras, creams, pads, “cutlets”, tape — you name it, we’ve heard about it. To increase the size or change the position of your breasts permanently, however, surgery is your best option.

For women wanting larger breasts, we offer breast augmentation surgery to enlarge breasts while retaining a natural shape and curve. Dr. Funk is well regarded as the area’s premier cosmetic surgeon for his artistic eye and focus on natural balance. Breast augmentation can give you the larger breasts you desire to more properly fill out dresses, swim suits, and low cut tops.

If you’re happy with the size of your breasts but would like to boost them back up to their youthful position, a breast lift is what you need. This surgery does not make a noticeable change in the size of your breasts, but it does being them back up to where they used to be before kids and age took their tolls. You can do a breast lift in tandem with a breast augmentation or reduction to change the size and position of your breasts all at once.
 

Get It: Laser Hair Removal

Most spring styles call for smooth, hairless skin — whether it be your legs, underarms, face, bikini, or arms.

If you think shaving and waxing is for the birds, you’re in luck; our aesthetician Julie offers laser hair removal to permanently remove hair from whatever part(s) of your body you’d like.

Although laser hair removal is most effective on people with darker hair, it can be beneficial to anyone. Contact Julie determine if laser hair removal will be right for you.
 

Get It: A Smoother Complexion

Summer is no time for heavy makeup. It runs, smears, gets clogged into your pores as you perspire, and can look more severe in natural sunlight. The hard part about cutting back on your makeup is baring your skin and all its imperfections.

To achieve more evenly toned skin, microdermabrasion is just the thing. This quick, pain-free procedure exfoliates deeply to remove the dead skin that’s dulling your complexion, revealing the bright, youthful glow from underneath.

After a micordermabrasion treatment, it’s critical to protect your skin from UV rays. Check that the skin care products you use contain sunscreen, and make sure that you’re using enough to adequately protect your skin. We recommend SkinCeuticals® products because they’re scientifically designed to prevent future skin damage, protect healthy skin, and correct previous damage. To maintain and improve skin health, SkinCeuticals’ line includes uv defense facial moisturizers, exfoliants, lip and eye treatments, and hydrating masks and gels with vitamin b5.

For more information about any of our services, contact us!

We’re giving away an amazing prize package to one lucky winner — no strings attached. Now that we’re into 2013 and our New Year’s resolutions are starting to dwindle, our New Year New You contest can help keep you motivated.

One grand prize makeover package will be awarded to one lucky winner who will get pampered, try a new hairdo, refresh her wardrobe, dine in style, AND travel to New York City to show off her amazing new look!

The Grand Prize Package (valued at approx. $2700!!) Includes:

• A two (2) night stay for up to two (2) people in New York City from Wendell L. Funk, MD
• A $1000 gift certificate for Juvederm and/or Botox Cosmetic from Wendell L. Funk, MD
• A $100 gift certificate towards eyeglass frames from European Eyeware
• A free bouquet of flowers from Flowers by Paulette
• A $100 gift certificate towards clothing and/or accessories from Filling’s Clothing
• A five (5) course tasting dinner for two at Gibraltar Restaurant
• A beauty package from Plum Salon and Spa including a 1/2 hour beauty consultation, haircut, wash, style, coloring/smoothing service, makeup application and lesson, manicure, and pedicure
• A 60-minute massage from Wellness In Hand Massage Therapy
• A one-month family membership to the Lancaster YMCA

Entry Methods:

Fill out the form below to tell us why you (or whomever you want to nominate) deserves to win a makeover. Attach a small recent photo that we can use as the “before” image if we choose you as the winner! You can nominate yourself, or a friend or relative.

One entry per person. Entry deadline is 2/28/2013. Winner to be selected 3/7/2013. See full Contest Rules for details.

Good Luck!

Your glowing summer tan is long gone, and you’re left with a dull, dry, pasty complexion. Now’s the time to take advantage of the best skin care products and treatments to renew your glow.

Banish winter skin with regular exfoliation, moisturizing treatments, and at-home, skin care products full of professional grade moisturizers, emollients, and skin protectants.

Exfoliate, Exfoliate, Exfoliate!

NEOSTRATA®

For optimum exfoliation and skin-renewing benefits, NeoStrata® skin care products rely on the power of alpha-hydroxy and polyhydroxy acids to reduce or eliminate signs of aging, acne, and pigmentation problems while moisturizing the skin.

With a comprehensive line including products with different concentrations and formulations, NeoStrata® products are available to suit patients with almost any skin type or complexion. NeoStrata® products are developed by medical experts and are extensively tested, hypoallergenic, and fragrance free.

OBAGI®

Obagi® products are medically developed and extensively tested, making amazing results possible that simply cannot be matched using non-prescription alternatives. Using its Penetrating Therapeutics™ technology, Obagi products are designed to improve penetration of prescription and cosmetic agents across the skin barrier to minimize premature aging, skin damage, hyperpigmentation, acne, sun damage, and the signs and symptoms of rosacea.

Condition & Enhance Exfoderm Forte is an alpha-hydroxy acid (6% glycolic acid, 4% lactic acid) product that removes old skin cells while promoting new skin cells for a lighter, brighter, firmer complexion.

Keep Moisture In

EltaMD®

An all over moisturizer applied daily will help keep skin moist, but you might consider a rich, emollient moisturizer like EltaMD® Moisturizer in the winter months to help combat the affects of cold, dry air. EltaMD® Moisturizer seals moisture into the surface (preventing the moisture from evaporating). It is safe for even the most sensitive skin, fragrance-free, preservative-free and noncomedogenic.

Clinicians Complex®

Clinicians Complex® is a medically oriented skin rejuvenation product line available and sold only through skin care professionals like ourselves. They utilize the latest developments in cosmecutical skin care technology, manufacture their products in FDA approved laboratories, and use the highest quality pharmaceutical grade, anti-aging ingredients backed by science.

Products like their Derma Moist instantly increases skin’s moisture retention levels with hyaluronic acid (one of the best moisturizers available) along with a variety of botanical extracts and other natural ingredients.

NIA24®

NIA24®’s niacin-powered skin therapy penetrates the skin, delivers niacin to the skin cells, and enables healing from within to promote healthier, more beautiful looking skin.

Their line includes their Intensive Recovery Complex cream, which is a medium-texture intense treatment moisturizer for daily or night-time use. With ingredients like Pro-Niacin, hyaluronic acid, licorice root extract, barley and tomato complex, liposome complex of a, c, and e, and ceramide 3, the cream reinforces the skin, brightens, hydrates, and restores radiance.

Remember Your Sunscreen!

SkinCeuticals®

SkinCeuticals® products are scientifically designed to prevent future skin damage, protect healthy skin, and correct previous damage. To maintain and improve skin health, SkinCeuticals’ line includes uv defense facial moisturizers, exfoliants, lip and eye treatments, and hydrating masks and gels with vitamin b5.

See an Aesthetician

Our talented aestheticians would be happy to discuss which of our skin care lines would best meet your needs, and which ingredients you should look for. We recommend pairing at-home skin care with in-office exfoliating and renewing treatments like microdermabrasion and peels for optimum results. Get in touch!

Loose Neck Skin

Few things strike more dread into the hearts of men and women than the dreaded “gobble neck” — that small flap of skin under our chins that seems to get looser and looser as we age. It’s not very flattering, and there always seems to be a new over-the-counter miracle remedy that fails to work as well as it claims.

Fortunately, there are things you can do about it. So fear not, take off that turtleneck, and read on…

Neck Lift Procedure

The neck sling (neck lift) is one of the most recent advances in the fight against early relaxation of the skin of the neck. This procedure is often combined with face and neck liposculpture.

Through a small incision behind each ear and under the chin, excess fat of the lower face and neck can be contoured and removed. The neck muscles are then tightened using either a permanent suture or a suture that slowly melts away, leaving the face and neck with a new, youthful, and natural contour. Fine wrinkles may also be improved.

This procedure is more commonly reserved for younger to middle aged patients with signs of premature aging of the neck. Candidates for this procedure often enjoy a reduced period of recovery. This procedure typically takes one to two hours to perform under sedation or general anesthesia.

To learn more about this procedure, contact our cosmetic surgery office in Lancaster, Camp Hill, or York.

Facial Liposculpture Procedure

The neck and cheeks often appear full and without natural contours because of excess fat. Such pockets of fat are often resistant to diet and exercise, thereby making liposculpture an excellent surgical option.

During this procedure, tiny incisions are made, and the excess fat is gently suctioned away, sculpting the lower face and neck. This produces a noticeably slimmer, more refined and naturally shaped profile. This procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia or sedation and typically takes less than an hour to perform.

To learn more about this procedure, contact our cosmetic surgery office in Lancaster, Camp Hill, or York.

Face Lift Procedure

Exposure to sunlight, weight gain or loss, and the aging process all take their toll on the previously natural and healthy appearance of our skin, causing it to loosen, sag, and wrinkle, especially on the face. A facelift is an artistically performed surgical procedure intended to correct these tell-tale signs of aging and restore your skin’s smooth and youthful appearance by tightening the skin and underlying muscles of the cheeks, jowls, and neck.

The procedure is accomplished with incisions made inconspicuously around the ear. After the excess skin is lifted, it is removed, carefully tailored around the ear, and gently tightened. The facelift procedure may take several hours. At Dr. Funk’s Lancaster, York, and Camp Hill offices, our goal is to produce a natural-looking, rejuvenating result, which can be subtle or dramatic, depending on the severity of aging.

This artistic procedure should only be performed by a skilled and experienced aesthetic plastic surgeon. Realistic patient expectations are essential to achieving success with all cosmetic procedures, and facial plastic surgery is no different. The effects of a facelift typically last many years but, like all cosmetic procedures, will not stop further aging. To learn more about facelift surgery, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Funk.

To learn more about this procedure, contact our cosmetic surgery office in Lancaster, Camp Hill, or York.

In a town heavily influenced by art, everyday trips downtown are cultural experiences, and the holidays in Lancaster are no exception. From theater productions to local art galleries and boutiques, the town is abuzz with art, culture, and holiday spirit.

Art, Culture, and Shopping Galore

A stroll through downtown Lancaster’s Gallery Row will take you past some of the town’s most prominent local galleries, like those of Christiane David, Liz Hess, Julia Swartz, Isadore, Mio Studio, Red Raven, and CityFolk.

The galleries feature seasonal works of art, as well as everyday favorites. Artists in Lancaster are quite diverse, so be sure to check out all the different styles that our town has to offer.

A few blocks north of Gallery Row, turn onto Harrisburg Avenue (known locally as The Avenue), and visit the holiday displays at Barrick Candles and The Lancaster Arts Hotel.

Or, if vintage shopping is more your taste, take a trip up the 300 Block of North Queen St. and stop by local vintage shops like Hinesite Vintage, Mommalicious, and Building Character. The holiday displays at neighboring Flowers by Paulette and The Shoppes at 301 are also quite impressive.

Holidays at the Theater

If you enjoy live theater, Lancaster has much to offer. From dinner theaters and religiously-centered productions to college musicals and classic plays, Lancaster’s theaters run the gamut.

The Fulton Theatre‘s production of A Christmas Carol runs through Dec. 29, and features a live-theater interpretation of the classic Christmas story.

“A miserly and miserable man, Ebenezer Scrooge greets each Christmas with a “bah humbug,” until he is visited one Christmas Eve by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. Through a restless night, the spirits show him happy memories from his past, cruel realities from the present and the grim future should he continue his cantankerous ways. This musical adaptation retains the emotional power and pure joy of the Charles Dickens story, showing us that it is never too late to change.”

Shows at the American Music Theater are renowned as spectacular, over-the-top productions that attract theater-goers from the tri-state area.

This year’s Christmas production, 2012 Christmas Show: Home for the Holidays is no exception! Running through Dec. 30, “Our critically acclaimed Christmas Show is back with an all-new presentation of the songs and traditions you know and love. Featuring spectacular vocals, fabulous dancing, lots of light hearted moments, and a visit by Santa himself, the 2012 Christmas Show is guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit!”

The Dutch Apple Dinner Theater is widely known for its entertaining shows and traditional PA Dutch cooking. Dinner and a show in one place! This holiday season is no exception, with its production of A Swingin’ Christmas, on stage through December 23.

“We return to the tradition that has made the Dutch Apple a favorite for Christmas entertainment. It’s beautiful singing, breath-taking dancing, gorgeous costumes, rib-tickling fun, and a commitment to the real meaning of the holiday. The heart of the show never changes with new songs, new dances and a new cast.”

New Year’s Eve Celebration

For a spectacular New Year’s celebration, leave it to the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra’s New Year’s Celebration, Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute to the Beatles at the American Music Theater. “Now you can experience that once-in-a-lifetime excitement as this internationally acclaimed concert tour brings the Beatles music to Lancaster. Come and take a tour of their greatest hits from the early days to super-stardom, and hear them as you’ve never heard them before—with the depth of sound of a full orchestra—your Lancaster Symphony Orchestra!”