South Delhi Cosmetic Clinic

We humans are obsessed with the way we look. This is despite the fact that we can only see what the mirror (or our pictures) shows and nobody can actually see their own faces. The nose is one part that very few are happy with. It is either too short, long, round, sharp, whatnot. To add to that, science has come up with the size and shape that can make one look beautiful. There are surgeries that can shape it up, so you can walk with your nose held high!!

Rhino, stands for nose, and plasty is for surgery. Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure which is useful in correcting the shape and size of the nose. Earlier done as a treatment for people with chronic nasal congestion and blocks, it has gained popularity as a cosmetic procedure in the recent decades.

Why rhinoplasty:

As noted, rhinoplasty could be done for cosmetic and therapeutic reasons, some of them being:

1. Nose completely out of proportion with the facial size
2. Misshapen tip of the nose, which could be drooping, hooked, or bulbous
3. Nostrils not in proper position or misshapen
4. Asymmetrical nostrils
5. Nasal bridge having lumps or bumps
6. Externally visible deviation of the nasal septum, causing both cosmetic and breathing issues

During the surgical reshaping, cartilage may be added or removed to achieve the desired shape.

What to expect before the procedure?

Getting yourself in the right hands. Think about it, in the wrong hands, this surgery can have very serious effects, not just functionally but also cosmetically. You could then end up wishing that you were better off with the previous, misshapen nose. After the surgery, you will notice a different you in the mirror, as the nose has a telling effect on a person’s appearance.

At the time of surgery:

Depending on the extent of surgery, local or general anesthesia is used. General is preferred though. With a local anesthesia, you will be aware of the sights and sounds of the surgery.

Post the procedure:

Once the procedure is over, gradually expect the following.

• A puffy face, as the tissue around the eyes and the nose will be considerably swollen
• The nose will be covered with a splint for at least a week. This allows the bones and cartilage to settle down in their new position.
• Use a cold compresses to help in pain control and reduce swelling
• Take the entire course of antibiotics and pain killers
• Sleep with the head of the bed elevated for the first one week postoperatively

Rhinoplasty is definitely a choice to improve appearance and self-esteem; the key is to place yourselves in safe hands. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

As feminine as they are, breasts can also be a cause of concern for females. Most women are not happy with the size and/or shape of their breasts. They would be happier if they were a little different (whatever that different is!!).

This is where the cosmetic industry realized a huge potential and came up with the concept of breast reconstruction surgery. The size and/or shape of the breasts can be altered to meet the desires of the patient. There are mainly two types of breast surgery.

1. Reduction surgery: This is where a person complains of excessively large breasts, which are not just cosmetic concern but can also cause back and neck pain.
2. Reconstruction surgery: Either using a person’s own tissue from another part of the body or using medically proven implants such as silicone, the breast is reconstructed to achieve the desired results.

In either cases, the nipple and surrounding tissue (areola) may or may not be touched during surgery.

Reconstruction surgery that is autologous, using one’s own tissue, is often time consuming and requires opening up another part of the body. However, using silicone can cause rejection and lead to complications. Therefore, the first option for this type of surgery is often preferred.

Either of these, reconstruction or reduction, can be done for medical reasons also. For instance, in breast cancer, after lumpectomy or mastectomy, reconstruction may be necessary. There are various flaps used, and the type used on a person would depend on the actual procedure to be done and the extent of surgery.

Things to consider with reconstruction surgery:

1. If you are going for reconstruction surgery for purely cosmetic reasons, do thorough research, and then find a good doctor to do it for you.
2. If you are going for it after mastectomy, think about whether you want to look for other options. There are artificial breasts which can be worn when required alone, and much easier. Having to go through another major surgery is a decision to be taken seriously.
3. After the surgery, regular follow-up and even minor surgical corrections may be required. Nipple reconstruction may be required. If silicone implants were used, there could be rejection and may need removal.
4. There are also scars, redness and soreness that will take some time after the surgery to subside.
5. Returning to normal activity may take about 8 weeks.
6. Medical insurance provides for reconstruction surgery if done due to breast cancer. Procedures done for purely cosmetic purpose might not be covered by insurance providers. Do check with your provider before opting for the procedure.

Breast reconstruction surgery has gained popularity over the years and the success rates and results have improved significantly in the last few decades.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

One thing most people do every day is to look in the mirror and analyze their looks. The face is needless to say the most analyzed part, and most people would want some or the other feature changed. This need increases with age, when fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, crow’s feet, etc., begin to make an appearance.

The skin has multiple layers, with the inner dermal layer having collagen and fibrous tissue which is covered by the topmost layer, epidermis. Though the epidermis is visible, the underlying layers give skin all its features from firmness to color to tone. Most skincare products work at improving these underlying layers, be it hyaluronic acid or vitamin A/E, or retinol, or benzoyl peroxide. These products can be used to improve skin tone, texture, glow or color. In addition to all the products that are available, Botox too made an entry into the market.

How they work?
With age, all tissues degenerate, and so do the skin’s underlying layers. Also, with poor food habits, the skin may not be getting the required nutrition to regenerate itself adequately. Therefore, these products are used directly on the skin to act as “fillers.” All the chemicals used as fillers contain essential skin ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, retinol, benzoyl peroxide, vitamin C, vitamin A, salicylic acid, etc. Injected directly into the skin, they have a higher impact than when taken as a food or applied on the skin. The skin is able to regenerate better, and therefore improve appearance. The result is a glowing skin which is radiant and youthful.

How is it done?

• Most treatments are in-office, walk-in procedures wherein each sitting takes about 20 minutes.
• In a relaxed environment, the filler is injected into the skin, and the patient rests for about 10 minutes before walking out.
• These injections are useful in improving tone, firming up the skin, and reducing sagginess and droopiness.
• Repeat sittings are required once in 3 to 4 months to maintain the appearance.

Botox: Initially, this neurotoxin was used to treat diseases such as paralysis, but then its cosmetic use was gradually established. It is used when fine lines and wrinkles begin to appear. It acts on the nerve endings and paralyzes them, thereby preventing wrinkles and reducing sagging.

How is it done?
This is again done as an outpatient procedure, and will take about 20 to 30 minutes. Not just wrinkles, even fine lines especially on the forehead can be eliminated with Botox. Production of skin proteins such as collagen and elastin are improved after Botox treatment, giving skin a youthful, radiant appearance.

While ageing is still inevitable, a youthful appearance can be prolonged and managed with options such as fillers and Botox.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Due to hormonal imbalance, it is possible for boys during puberty or adolescence to develop breast tissue. This tissue may not be similar to those of females, but still considerable enough to cause embarrassment. A more serious issue is when this also causes pain and swelling. While it disappears on its own in most people, in some cases it may persist in some and may require surgical correction.

Why does it happen? Male features are due to a hormone called testosterone, and female features are due to estrogen. While both hormones are produced in both sexes, the predominance is of testosterone in males and estrogen in females. Gynecomastia happens when either there is a reduced production of testosterone or higher production of estrogen.

This surge of hormone production happens during infancy, puberty, and during old age.

Other common reasons are:

• Drugs (anti androgens, anabolic steroids, AIDS medications, cancer treatment, heart medications, etc.)
• Street drugs like marijuana, amphetamines
• Alcohol abuse
• Hypogonadism in men
• Ageing men, who are also overweight
• Kidney failure
• Liver failure

What to do? Most males go through some amount of breast tissue expansion during their growing years. This often disappears as they cross the teenage years. However, it may continue to grow and requires attention in the following cases:

• Grows considerably and is painful
• Is a cosmetic concern

The doctor can review and advise if any changes are required to rectify the situation. In very rare cases, if the condition does not improve, surgical correction may be advised.

Prevention: Given that there are obvious causes, this condition can be prevented by avoiding medications which can cause it. Avoiding street drugs, alcohol, and adopting a healthy lifestyle are also options to prevent gynecomastia.

Diagnosis: Blood tests and hormone levels need to be checked to confirm the diagnosis. Mammograms are also required to identify the pattern and to rule out breast cancer, fatty breast tissue, and localized breast infections.

Management: Treatment would depend on identifying the root cause.

• If there are medications that are inducing this, switch to alternate meds.
• If there is an underlying condition such as malnutrition or liver failure, that needs to be addressed.
• Quit or reduce the consumption of alcohol and/or street drugs if they are the reason
• Meds for breast cancer are known to reduce gynecomastia, though not in all men
• Liposuction is an option, where the breast fat tissue is removed. This may need to be repeated if the fat grows again.
• Mastectomy: As a definitive procedure, the entire breast tissue can be removed.

In addition to the treatment and management options listed above, given the embarrassing nature of this condition, strong moral and social support is required.

If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a doctor.

Who doesn't love a head full of thick, lush and healthy hair? It not only enhances our appearance, but also makes us look and feel young and spirited. So naturally, losing hair in copious amounts or going bald can be a nightmare for many. But with the hair transplant procedure, you can easily get a head full of hair and regain your confidence.

Hair transplant revolves around the surgical removal of hair follicles from a donor site of a body to a balding patch which is called the recipient site. The process is minimally invasive, and grafts containing hair follicles which are resistant to balding, are transplanted to the bald spot. This method is also used for restoring eyebrows, eyelashes, chest hair, beard hair, pubic hair and for filling in accident or surgical scars.

Here is a closer look at how hair transplant is conducted:

After cleaning your scalp, the surgeon will inject a medicine to make the back of your head numb.

He will then either follow the Follicular Unit Strip Surgery (FUSS) or Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) to implement the transplantation.

FUSS procedure: In FUSS, the surgeon will remove a strip of skin, 6 to 10 inches in length, from the back of your head. He will then sew back that portion of the scalp, and it will be hidden by the hair surrounding it. Next, the removed skin strip will be divided into 500 to 2000 minute grafts, with each containing a single hair or a couple of hairs. The type and number of grafts will be based on your hair quality, type, color and the dimensions of the recipient site.

Advantages: This procedure is generally priced on a per graft basis, so the patient only pays for what he needs rather than a flat rate that could end up costing more.

Disadvantages: Some patients report more pain and discomfort with the FUSS procedure due to swelling where the strip of tissue was removed. FUSS also typically results in scars on the back of the head.

FUE procedure: In FUE, the surgeon will shave the back of your scalp and remove the follicles one by one. The concerned area will heal with small dots and the surrounding hair will conceal it.

FUE technique is the latest and has least complication rates. It is one of the most widely accepted method of hair transplantation due to less bleeding, no linear scarring, faster recovery and better cosmetic acceptability of donor area.

Advantages: Hair follicles can be removed from anywhere, so a whole patch does not need to be taken from one area. This allows the donor area to retain fullness. Furthermore, there is no scarring and healing occurs much quicker. There is also very little discomfort compared to FUSS.

Disadvantages: FUE hair transplant surgery can be slightly more expensive than FUSS, but it does depend on each patient.

In both the methods of transplant, after the graft is prepared, the surgeon will clean and numb the area where the hair needs to be transplanted to. He will then create slits or holes with a needle or scalpel and carefully place each graft in each hole. It might take 4 to 8 hours for the entire procedure to be conducted. And if you want thicker hair, more sessions might be required.

Here is a look at the other aspects of hair transplantation:

Recovery: Your scalp maybe tender post surgery and you may require pain medicines for quite some time. Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs may also be prescribed. You will be able to get back to work in 2 to 5 days after the procedure.

What to expect: Though in 2 to 3 weeks after the surgical process, your transplanted hair will fall off, you will notice new hair growth in a few months. Often, 60-80% hair grow back in 6-8 months.

Risks: Bleeding, infections, scarring and unnatural hair growth are some of the risks associated with hair transplantation. When new hair begins to grow, some people complain of inflammation of the hair follicles, but this can be resolved with medication.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

As the name suggests, hair transplant is a surgical procedure in which hair follicles are moved from one body part, the donor site, to a balding part of the body, the recipient site. Male pattern baldness can be primarily treated using this technique. Hair transplantation procedures can be used for restoration of a bald scalp, eyelashes, eyebrows, chest hair, pubic hair, beard hair, and to fill in surgery or accident scars etc.

Procedures of Hair Transplant
Hair transplantation is very different from hair grafting. Modern hair transplantation methods can be used to achieve the natural hair appearance because the original hair orientation can be mimicked. The various procedures involved in hair transplant procedures are-

Pre operative planning: The scalp or the target area of the patient is analysed. Pre-operative folliscopy is carried out to determine the hair density which helps to assess the post-operative results of the transplant. Patients are advised to refrain from taking any sort of medicine prior to the procedure as it might result in intra-operative bleeding thereby causing poor grafting. Patients are also asked to avoid alcohol and smoking because they can have a negative impact on the survival of the grafts.

Harvesting: The procedure for transplant is usually performed undermild sedation of local anaesthesia. The scalp is shampooed thoroughly and then treated with antibacterial agents before the donor scalp is harvested. There are various different hair harvesting techniques, each having its advantages and disadvantages. There are two major ways of extracting donor grafts-

1. Strip harvesting- This is usually the most common technique, where the surgeon removes a strip of the skin from the back of the scalp where the hair growth is good. This leaves a thin scar on the donor area. This strip is then grafted to the required balding area of the scalp.
2. Follicular unit extraction (FUE)- In this kind of harvesting, individual follicular units consisting of a group of 1 to 4 hairs are removed under local anaesthesia. This is a fairly lengthy procedure but gives natural-looking results.
3. Follicular unit transplant- This is the traditional method for hair transplantation in which a strip of hair is extracted and the strip is then dissected in order to separate individual grafts.
4. Robotic hair restoration- A robotic hair restoration device is used which utilizes cameras and robotic arms to assist the surgeon in the FUE procedure.

Types of Surgeries
Hair transplant surgery can be of many types including

• Androgenic alopecia- treating permanent hair loss
• Eyebrow transplant
• Frontal lowering of hair- natural high hairlines without any hair loss condition.

In case donor hair numbers are insufficient, body hair transplant can also be used. However, it is very important to assess the natural difference in colour and texture between the body hair and scalp hair.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!