A Guide on How to Talk to Your Kids About An Otoplasty
It’s never easy talking to your kids about hard issues— especially when it comes to either their health or appearance. If your child’s ears stick out a little far from their head and you are worried about them causing self-esteem issues, later on, you may want to consider an ear pinning surgery or otoplasty from Associated Plastic Surgeons & Consultants. As one of the hardest parts of this surgery, however, you will need to explain it to your child.
Avoid Details
As adults, we tend to be detail oriented. We want to know the step-by-step process of virtually anything— especially a surgical procedure— and often, the more detailed things are, the better. However, with young children, it’s best to leave the details out. Details tend to overwhelm them and cause confusion. Rather than explaining all of the steps of the surgery, just say that they need to go to the doctor to have their ears fixed and explain that it won’t be painful and that you’ll be there the whole time.
Talk About the “Why” in a Subtle Way
You are obviously going to need to explain to your child why they are having surgery. And because an otoplasty is primarily an elective cosmetic surgery, this can be difficult. As a suggestion, try explaining to them that they are still beautiful or handsome but that the doctor is just going to make a few small changes to their ears so they won’t have to worry about them when they’re older. Whatever you do, don’t use any negative language or make them feel embarrassed about their image.
Talking to your child about an otoplasty is often one of the most dreaded aspects of the procedure by parents. However, by using these two easy tips above, you can hopefully make it easier.
To learn more about an otoplasty or to schedule your child’s consultation, contact our Huntington office today!
- Published in Otoplasty
3 Gifts to Give Your Bestie for the Holidays
Everyone has that person— you know the one— the first person you call when you get a job promotion, the last person you want to fight with, and the only person who can finish your sentences. Best friends, simply are the best. To make sure that you show your bestie how much you love and appreciate them, give them a gift from Associated Plastic Surgeons & Consultants that will make them shocked and excited.
Chemical Peels
Okay, so a chemical peel may not sound like something you want to gift to your bestie, but let’s face it— how many conversations have you had with them about their skin? Chemical peels are a non-invasive way to help correct skin concerns like acne scars, hyperpigmentation, and even fine lines and wrinkles. So, what’s not to love?
Facial
The most popular thing to gift to your bestie? A facial! Facials are not only relaxing, but they also have a slew of skincare benefits including an increased circulation of blood to the face. Plus, if you treat yourself to a facial as well, you and your bestie can have a fun day relaxing and enjoying each other’s company at our office!
Body Bronzing
Do you and your bestie have big plans to hit up as many holiday parties as possible together? Consider giving them the tan skin they have been wanting without having to send them on a trip to Mexico. With our body bronzing techniques, your friend can get that perfect sun-kissed look without having to expose themselves to any UV damage or light in the process.
Spoil your bestie this year with one of these three gifts. Depending on your budget, we can help you pick the best gift for them that will have them raving far into the new year. Schedule an appointment at our Huntington office to learn more!
- Published in Facial Rejuvenation
Take Time for Yourself This Season: Why You Should Indulge In a Spa Day
Whether you like it or not the holidays are just around the corner which means that not only do you have to tackle a long list of presents to buy for just about everyone you know, but you also have to cook, clean, and go to what feels like 1 million school performances with different renditions of Jingle Bells. Before things start to get chaotic, try taking some time for yourself and scheduling an appointment at our Cactus Medical Spa. Here’s why.
It Will Get You Prepared
Okay, so when you take a close look at it, the last way you can justify a spa day is by saying it will prepare you for the upcoming holidays, but take a step back and you’ll see what we are talking about. By taking time for yourself and getting pampered, you will be amped up and ready for the holidays like never before.
It’s Good for Your Stress
Stress— wouldn’t it be nice if it didn’t exist? Since that’s a fantasy that’s not going to be fulfilled anytime soon, it’s good to try to find a way to manage your stress by doing things like getting regular exercise and, you guessed it, going to the spa. With just an hour or two of a relaxing facial or one of our other treatments, you can feel more calm and carefree than you may remember feeling in a long time.
It’s Great for Your Skin
Whether you’re getting microdermabrasion or one of our facials, there’s one thing for sure: your skin will thank you. Depending on the treatment you choose to go with, you may receive excellent benefits like stimulating skin cell turnover, getting hydration, targeted scars, and more.
It can be hard to find the time to read a book, let alone spend the afternoon at the spa, but trust us: it will be worth it. Schedule your spa appointment at our Huntington office today!
- Published in MedSpa
The Skin Benefits of The Great Pumpkin
Unless you’re a newborn baby, healthy skin doesn’t come easily to most people. As such, we encourage our patients at Associated Plastic Surgeons & Consultants to get regular skin treatments and facials to help regulate oil, soften fine lines and wrinkles, add volume to the skin, and protect it from further damage. In addition to getting some of these procedures from our office, we also encourage patients to start a skin care routine at home. With pumpkin in season, it has many people asking what, if any, are the health benefits of pumpkin for your skin.
According to the International Dermal Institute, pumpkin has more than a handful of skin benefits including antioxidants like Vitamin A and Vitamin C— both of which boost collagen production in the skin and soften wrinkles.
Try Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds aren’t just good for roasting— they also act as a protective barrier for your skin. Pumpkin seeds contain a lot of fatty acids and Vitamin E which help to shield the skin. Additionally, if you have acne, pumpkin seeds contain zinc which has three main benefits: it controls oil production and hormone levels, and helps heal the skin after a breakout.
How Do You Use Pumpkin On Your Skin?
If sticking your head in a jack-o-lantern sounds like a great way to add pumpkin to your skincare routine— it probably won’t be as useful as blending it in a food processor. You can buy skin care products that are enriched with pumpkin, or you can add blended pumpkin directly to your skin and leave it there overnight with a thick moisturizing cream.
If there’s one cosmetic thing to be thankful for this season, it’s the array of fillers and treatments like chemical peels and microdermabrasion that we offer our patients. Schedule your next skincare appointment with our Huntington office today!
- Published in Skin Care
Is Ear Pinning Just For Kids? The Facts Behind Otoplasty for Adults
Children are relentless, and they tend to poke fun at just about anything different that they see— including ears. Although large, misshapen, or protruding ears more of a cosmetic concern, they can make you feel like you want to hide under a rock. Luckily, an otoplasty can help.
An otoplasty, or ear pinning surgery, is a surgical procedure that is typically done on children ages 6 to 14 to help correct cosmetic issues. However, although it’s a bit rarer, otoplasty is also a surgical procedure that can help some adults. During an otoplasty, incisions will likely be in the natural creases of the ear to help reduce scarring. After the incisions have been made, skin and cartilage will be removed. This is done to help reshape the ears and give patients the desired results. So, how does this type of surgery change when you’re an adult?
Why Get An Otoplasty As An Adult?
Nobody wants to spend their entire life feeling self-conscious about their appearance. If you have either been made fun of a lot or if you have noticed your self-esteem decreasing because of the size or placement of your ears, then you may want to consider an otoplasty. Afterall, life is too short to spend it feeling self-conscious.
Is Surgery a Possibility?
Typically, otoplasties are performed on children. But, depending on your exact position, we may be able to perform this surgery on you. During your initial consultation with our Associated Plastic Surgeons & Consultants office, we will perform an evaluation and determine whether or not you are a good candidate for this specific type of procedure.
Are There Benefits of Waiting?
As previously mentioned, most surgeons like to perform an otoplasty on children. But one of the biggest benefits of adults getting an otoplasty is that they’re more careful with the aftercare. This reduces their likelihood of getting a postoperative infection.
If you’re sick of spending your adult life feeling self-conscious about the size, shape, or placement of your ears, consider getting an otoplasty. Schedule your otoplasty consultation with our Huntington office today or call (631) 423-1000!
- Published in Otoplasty
Smoke Signals: How to Get Rid of Smoke Damaged Skin
When you initially hear the term “smoke damage” images of a burned down home or business may come to mind. However, did you know that your skin can also show signs of smoke damage? Patients who are current or past smokers are more likely to show premature signs of aging in areas such as the skin around their lips. Luckily, here at Associated Plastic Surgeons & Consultants, we have a procedure that is designed with you in mind: The Mesofacial.
What Is the Mesofacial?
The Mesofacial was first introduced by board certified surgeon Dr. Elliot Duboys himself in 2005, as a unique way to get rid of fine lines and wrinkles. The Mesofacial combines micro-needling with non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid to help restore the skin around the lips that have damage from cigarette use.
During this 30 minute procedure, one of our medical aestheticians will thoroughly cleanse the skin with either a chemical peel or microdermabrasion. Once the skin is clean, Dr. Duboys applies the non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid to the skin. After which, multiple perforations will be made with a unique handheld device. The combination of the hyaluronic acid and the perforations in the skin will simultaneously add volume while encouraging your skin’s natural reaction to heal itself.
What Is Recovery Like?
One of the biggest concerns patients have in regards to skin care procedures is what the recovery time is. Luckily, the Mesofacial requires no downtime at all. In fact, patients can return right back to work or even head to the gym immediately afterward. Although patients typically experience some redness directly after their facial, it should subside within six hours.
If you are experiencing adverse side effects from chronic cigarette use such as fine lines and wrinkles around your lips, consider the Mesofacial. To learn more, schedule your consultation with our Huntington office today! Call (631) 423-1000 to make an appointment.
- Published in MedSpa
From Male to Female: Understanding the Transitioning Process
If you are transitioning from male to female, you know just how complex gender identity and reassignment can be. However, with the right support group and a group of doctors, you can transition as smooth as possible. If you are unfamiliar with this process, we will help you along every step of the way. From breast implants to genitalia, this article will discuss what is entailed when you transition from male to female. Read on to learn more.
Hormone Therapy
Before we can start with any surgical procedure, you will need to start hormone therapy. Unfortunately, we don’t offer any hormone therapy at our office, but we can refer you to an endocrinologist who can help. After about a year or more of being on the correct hormones, we can start surgery.
Breast enhancement.
As the first step in transitioning from male to female, we will perform a breast enhancement surgery which involves making a small incision under the breast muscle and then placing the implant. Depending on the size of the implant, we may have to perform two surgeries to complete this step.
Genitalia
This step is the most complex form of surgery. During this surgery, the male genitalia will be trimmed and cut inward to help form female genitalia. The goal of this surgery is to achieve a threefold result: aesthetic, sensational, and functional. Because this surgical step in the process is very extensive, it typically requires several surgeries to complete.
Gender reassignment surgery is a very emotionally and physically intense surgical transformation. Luckily, with the help of a team of doctors and experts, we can ensure that it goes as well as possible. If you would like to learn more about this procedure or to schedule an appointment, contact or call Associated Plastic Surgeons & Consultants at(631) 423-1000.
- Published in Transgender Surgery
How to Get a Better, Slimmer Body
Losing weight can seem like you’re on a never ending roller coaster— some days are easy to eat healthy whereas other days are a bit more difficult (can you say office donuts?). If you are trying to lose weight but just can’t seem to get rid of the excess fat around your upper arms, upper thighs, abdomen, or buttocks, then it may be time to consider getting a procedure from Associated Plastic Surgeons & Consultants. Read on to learn more.
Liposuction
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that is used to get rid of stubborn fat around the body. This procedure scrapes off your fat cells and then suctions them out with a device called a cannula. Liposuction can give you the results you’ve wanted from diet and exercise but haven’t been able to achieve. During this surgical procedure, our staff of surgeons and nurses will ensure that you are calm and comfortable. And, with the use of anesthesia, you won’t feel a thing. For your recovery, you can expect to take at least about a week off of work to fully recuperate.
Abdominoplasty
Muffin tops may be delicious to eat \in the morning, but they are the last thing you want to on your body. During an abdominoplasty, our surgeons will lift and tighten the skin around your middle to make it tauter. Additionally, if you have a lot of excess fat around your middle, we can also perform liposuction.
Liposuction and an abdominoplasty are two surgeries that can help you get the body you want. To learn more about these surgical procedures or to schedule an appointment with Associated Plastic Surgeons & Consultants, contact or call (631) 423-1000 today!
- Published in Liposuction
When to Ditch the Waxing and Go For Laser Hair Removal
Whether you’re male or female, keeping up with waxing unwanted body hair can feel like a part-time job. Not only do you have to avoid shaving altogether, but you also have to schedule frequent waxing appointments to stay up on the hair control. Luckily, we at Associated Plastic Surgeons & Consultants offer our patients laser hair removal to help you permanently cut back on your waxing time and embrace a new, hair-free lifestyle. So, how can you decide if it’s time to ditch the waxing and hop on the laser hair removal wagon? Read on to learn more.
You Have Sensitive Skin
Sometimes, laser hair removal is done for more than just cosmetic purposes— instead, it can be used to help treat sensitive skin that is prone to rashes and ingrown hairs after waxing and shaving. After just a few laser treatments, we can get rid of the hair on your body and help you to live more comfortably.
It’s Too Much to Keep Up On
If you’re sick and tired of having to schedule time off of work to make it to your monthly waxing appointments, then you may want to consider laser hair removal. Depending on your hair color, your skin type, and the area we are treating, you may have to undergo around 5-9 laser hair removal treatments until you are done once and for all— freeing up your calendar for good.
It’s Embarrassing
Some of our patients come into our office to get laser hair removal because they are embarrassed by their excessive hair growth. For instance, many of our male patients get laser hair removal done on their back or chest to get rid of excessive, unwanted hair.
There are a variety of different reasons that you may have when considering getting laser hair removal done— these are just a few. If you want to kiss wax strips and appointments goodbye, contact Associated Plastic Surgeons & Consultants to schedule your laser hair removal consultation.
- Published in Laser Hair Removal
Dysport VS Botox
In the world of injectables, Botox has been consistently popular amongst patients for the last decade or more. However, now that there’s a new injectable in town (Dysport) many patients are wondering what the difference is between these two products and how to know what one is right for them. To help you better understand both Botox and Dysport, we have created a brief guide. Read on to learn more.
Apples to Apples
One of the most important things to know about Botox and Dysport is that they are very similar to each other. In fact, comparing these two injectables is basically like comparing apples to apples. Both Botox and Dysport are derived from the botulinum toxin A, a naturally derived component found in your skin that we lose with age. When injected into your facial muscles, Botox and Dysport relax the muscles in the face— leaving you with a smoother forehead and less visible lines and wrinkles. Although there are many similarities between these two injectables, there are a few key differences.
Dysport
One of the many benefits of Dysport is that it starts to show its results faster than Botox in about 2-3 days on average. Additionally, Dysport spreads more quickly across large areas of the face like the forehead. Depending on the areas of your face that we are targeting, Dysport may be more effective for your specific needs than Botox.
Botox
Typically, Botox is more expensive than Dysport, but it has been known to last a little longer as well— making it worth the additional price. Because Botox doesn’t spread as easily as Dysport, it is better to use to treat fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, eyebrows, and across certain more concentrated parts of the forehead.
During your initial consultation with our staff at Associated Plastic Surgeons & Consultants, we will go over your skincare options and help you determine whether Dysport or Botox is better for you. To learn more about these injectables or to schedule an appointment, contact Associated Plastic Surgeons & Consultants today!
- Published in Fillers & Injectables