9/21/06
According to Brock Ridenour, MD, of Ridenour Plastic Surgery, St. Louis, Mo, his patients are opting for procedures to bring their facial features in line with their health and attitude.
“I don’t think people are really looking to be (unreasonably) young or have a different appearance,” says Ridenour. “The majority of people just want a face that reflects their sense of vitality.”
Physicians say that the most important thing of a youthful appearance is the face—most other body parts can be handled with clothing. Dermatologists and plastic surgeons offer two routes to a youthful appearance: surgery and surface treatments. However, physicians warn that surgical techniques are not for everyone.
Physicians should tell their patients to shop around before making a decision to have an expensive procedure. Different physicians have different specialties and endorse different skin care products. Checking a physician’s credentials through the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Dermatological Surgeons, or the American Academy of Dermatologists is also important.
Physicians should also warn their patients that nothing stops the aging process and they’ll never look 20 years younger again—no matter what age they are.
[www.stltoday.com, September 18, 2006]
