Dr. James Barber - Cosmetic Surgery Blog

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Listen up ladies. IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT!

How often do you hear that line from a man? Well, let me be the first to utter those words to you. Truth be told, it is not your fault when it applies to the wrinkling around your mouth (perioral skin). A recent study conducted by a team of plastic surgeons in the Netherlands showed that there are gender specific differences between men and women pertaining to the nature and extent of wrinkling of the mouth area. Using the skin of cadavers and live subjects, the study found the following reasons why women's perioral wrinkles are deeper and more profound.
  • Women's perioral skin contains fewer sweat glands and sebaceous glands (glands that secrete an oily, waxy matter to lubricate skin and hair). This certainly may influence the natural filling of the dermis.
  • Women's perioral skin has fewer blood vessels therefore is less vascularized which could accelerate wrinkling.
  • In women, muscle fibers are more closely attached to the dermis of the mouth causing a more pronounced retraction of the skin causing....you guessed it...WRINKLES.

Disappointed? Frustrated? Do something about it. There are so many options available to you in your fight against wrinkles including Dysport/Botox, injectable fillers (Restylane/Perlane), laser resurfacing, and chemical peels.

So ladies, I reiterate--it's not your fault. And please remember, I was the first man to ever echo those words to you....and mean it!

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posted by Kristi at 2:08 PM 0 comments

Thursday, November 5, 2009

No Pain, Your Gain

As you may well know, none of us like to see ourselves aging, hence the onslaught of non-invasive techniques to reverse Old Man Time. Clock fighters such as Botox/Dysport and skin fillers are no strangers to this battle. New to the battle-evolving injection techniques that allow for a more comfortable experience. The newest trend is for doctors to combine lidocaine with facial fillers such as Restylane, Perlane, and Juvederm. By doing this at Dr. Barber's Pittsburgh plastic surgery practice, we have seen a noticeable decrease in pain for our patients.

Can you tell we really don't care for the saying "No Pain, No Gain"? We would like to throw it out of the window and stomp on it a couple of times.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment. 412-741-1976

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posted by Kristi at 3:49 PM 0 comments

Friday, October 2, 2009

Buyer Beware

Patients should avoid "too good to be true" discounts on injectables. Some physicians are buying these "discount injectables" offshore and offering them to patients at a lower price.

Make sure your safety is protected by choosing a physician with appropriate training, credentials and judgement. Many patients safely enjoy the benefits of Botox, Restylane, Juvederm and Dysport.

And remember the old saying, "If it's too good to be true, it probably is".

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posted by Kristi at 3:17 PM 0 comments

Friday, September 25, 2009

Face the Facts

You just looked in the mirror and you didn't recognize the person looking back at you. What happened? Where did the years go? Where did that line come from? Age tends to sneak up on people and bite them. Are you feeling like it is your turn to bite back?

With little downtime and very little discomfort, facial rejuvenation procedures are very popular in our practice. Patients are thrilled and report back that they look and feel at least 10 years younger.

Facelifts are a benefit to patients with sagging facial skin. Dr. Barber takes the individual patient into consideration before making a recommendation as this procedures can be tailored to fit time restrictions, desires and physical characteristics. Facelifts tighten the sagging beneath your neck, lift the jowls and recontour facial features. Often times, facelifts are combined with other rejuvenation procedures for a more polished look.

Eyelid lifts-to tighten eyelid skin and correct drooping.
Brow lift-to correct brow ptosis and heaviness.
Cheek/chin implants-to enhance facial contours.
Restylane/Juvederm-to fill in lines and add volume.
Laser resurfacing-to soften fine lines.

Perhaps it's time your reflection in the mirror matches your inner spirit. Time to let that vitality shine through! Contact our office for more information 412-741-1976.

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posted by Kristi at 1:52 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Filler-up

Now, that statement can refer to a multitude of things from pulling into a gas station to sitting on a bar stool with the boys from Cheers. But from a cosmetic standpoint, "filler-up" refers to a host of materials now being used to treat facial wrinkles and lines.

Injectable materials have long been a staple for facial rejuvenation dating back to bovine collagen injectables like Zyderm and Zyplast. The very first injectables often required an allergy test prior to injection and were not very long lasting.

We have come a long way. Today's fillers are longer lasting and do not need prior allergy testing. Restylane/Perlane, Juvederm, Artecol, and Sculptra (among many others) now fill the void for those people who desire a younger refreshed look without surgical intervention.

Fillers play an important role in facial rejuvenation:
  • Filling in the lines between the eyes (glabella)
  • Treating the lines between the nose and mouth (nasalabial folds)
  • Softening the lines at the corners of the mouth (marionette lines)
  • Lip enhancement

Lasting between 6-18 months, fillers are an important weapon in turning back the clock. Now go ahead, "filler-up"

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posted by Kristi at 12:51 PM 0 comments

Friday, May 1, 2009

Happy Mother's Day

Surprise mom with a gift she is sure to love!

Gift certificates are available in our office for that unique surprise. Give the gift of Latisse for beautiful long and lush eyelashes. Our skin care products will make her skin look and feel healthy and young. Gift certificates can also be used for treatments such as facials, Restylane, and Botox. If you are out of ideas and tired of the same old gifts, then try something new. Give the mother in your life something that will help her to look and feel her absolute best.

Call Dr. Barber's office today! 412-741-1976

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posted by Kristi at 9:30 AM 0 comments

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Let Your Beauty Bloom This Spring!

Save up to $150 on your Restylane or Perlane treatment and see beautiful results for up to 18 months with only one follow-up treatment*.

Don't let a down economy keep you from looking your best. A treatment with Restylane or Perlane can enhance your skin's fullness to smooth away moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as the lines from your nose to the corners of your mouth. With one follow-up treatment, you may maintain your youthful appearance for up to 18 months.* And now, you can save up to $150 on your treatment--which makes Restylane a great beauty value.

For a limited time, when you receive a Restylane or Perlane treatment, you can receive a $100 rebate on two 1-mL syringes or a $150 rebate on three 1-mL syringes

Contact our office for an appointment. Offer expires May 4, 2009.

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posted by Kristi at 2:30 PM 0 comments

Friday, March 13, 2009

Limited Time Only

For a limited time we are offering complimentary consultations with Dr. Barber. Patients can contact the office to schedule a consultation for:

If you would like to take advantage of a complimentary consultation, contact our office today at 412-741-1976. Appointments are limited.

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posted by Kristi at 10:48 AM 0 comments

Monday, February 9, 2009

LIMITED TIME FINANCING OFFER!

Carecredit financing announces their economic stimulus plan for patients. Take advantage of our 18 month no interest financing TODAY! (If paid within promotional period. Minimum monthly payments required.) Offer ends April 30, 2009.

Our team is dedicated to helping you look and feel your best. We offer a full range of cosmetic procedures and services, including:

Contact our office for additional information. Call today, offer ends soon!

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posted by Kristi at 9:57 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Give the Gift of Sparkle

Gift certificates are now available for the holidays. Purchase $150 gift certificate and receive an additional $50 for free. Gift certificates can be used for:

Help your special someone sparkle this holiday season! Contact us today for additional information. 412-741-1976

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posted by Kristi at 2:17 PM 0 comments

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Glam up for the holiday season and save money

If you have ever wanted to try Restylane or Perlane, now is the time to do so. With the holidays fast approaching you want to look and feel your best with as little out of your checkbook as possible, right?

On November 6th, we are having our annual Restylane Day in the Sewickley office. Patients will receive $100 off their 1st syringe of Restylane or Perlane and an additional $150 off a 2nd syringe of Restylane or Perlane.

Appointments are limited. Call our office today to guarantee an appointment during this special event. 412-741-1976

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posted by Kristi at 2:58 PM 0 comments

Friday, September 5, 2008

Feeling Good, Looking Bad

I recently came upon a study looking at how people perceive mood by looking at variations in wrinkles on one's face as well as eyelid position.

This is a common complaint in our office. Our patients often comment that people ask them why they are upset...or if they are sick...or if they are tired, when they are not. In reality they are seeing signs of aging and making the assumption that something is wrong. Just imagine you are having a wonderful day and someone says, "You look sick, are you ok?" What happens next? You feel badly about yourself which makes you feel sick. Right?!

According to this study, tiredness is often perceived when there is drooping of the upper eyelid. Correction of drooping eyelids would be achieved by performing an upper eyelid lift (blepharoplasty) and/or a brow lift. However, care must be taken in the type of brow lift that is performed. While ptosis to the eyelids is viewed as tiredness; too much lift increases the perception of fear & surprise. You want to find a surgeon that is not overly aggressive in tightening the skin and creating that surprised look.

Forehead wrinkles add to the perception of anger & disgust. Botox and/or a filler (Restylane/Juvederm) will smooth out those wrinkles and create calm look, even when you are not!

On another note: those crow's feet on the sides of your eyes are viewed as happiness. According to the study, the crow's feet simulate the cheek elevation that occurs with smiling. So maybe a couple small little lines are o.k. Just a couple.

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posted by Kristi at 4:11 PM 0 comments

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Newly Redesigned Gift Certificates Are Now Available

Our elegant gift certificates make a unique gift for someone special in your life. They can be used for the purchase of skin care products, anti-wrinkle treatments like Botox, Restylane, Juvederm or towards surgery-facial rejuvenation (facelift, eyelids) or body sculpting (liposuction, breast implants, tummy tuck).

Call our office today to order a gift certificate. 412-741-1976

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posted by Kristi at 3:53 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

PAINLESS INJECTIONS?

New cream eases discomfort

We are happy to announce the use of a new topical numbing cream for Restylane, Perlane, collagen and Botox injections. Most patients are reporting less discomfort allowing us to provide a more complete treatment.
  • Enhance your lips
  • Soften facial lines

Less pain, better results....what could be better?

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posted by Kristi at 2:29 PM 0 comments