Are You a Candidate for Fat Transfer? Whether you long for a plumper, smoother facial complexion or want the benefits of dermal fillers without the synthetic substances or upkeep, you may want to consider a fat transfer . This cosmetic procedure uses fat from your own body to restore a lasting, more youthful look to your face. Board-certified oculofacial plastic surgeon Robert M. Schwarcz, MD , is pleased to offer patients in Manhattan and Scarsdale, New York, state-of-the-art fat transfer procedures to help you reach your appearance goals. Here’s how it works and how we determine whether you’re a good candidate. Understanding the fat transfer procedure Fat transfer uses fat harvested from your own body as a filler to smooth out creases and shallows in your face and create a more youthful appearance. It’s especially popular for filling in areas around your eyes and mouth, as well as your mid-face. You and Dr. Schwarcz decide on a donor area — such as your abdomen, buttocks, or thighs — to harvest the fat cells. He uses liposuction to collect small amounts of fat. Then, he precisely injects the fat cells into your face. About 50% of the injected fat will redevelop blood supply, allowing it to stay put for a long time — or even indefinitely. Fat transfer can take place as part of a standard facelift or mid-facelift procedure or on its own. Benefits of fat transfer In addition to lasting significantly longer than dermal fillers, fat transfer results look and feel exceptionally natural. Because your face naturally thins out and sags with age — and more so if you’re a smoker or if you’ve spent a good deal of time in the sun — the plumper, smoother look it brings can turn back the clock on your appearance. As an added perk, fat transfer results in virtually no visible scars. Good candidates for fat transfer Some of the signs that you’re a good candidate for fat transfer include: Being in generally good health Having sunken cheeks Having bags or dark circles around your eyes Having thin lips Undergoing a facelift or liposuction procedure Having realistic expectations During a consultation, Dr. Schwarcz can help determine whether fat transfer is a good option for you and help you understand other anti-aging treatments as well. To learn more about fat transfer or to get started with your desired treatment, call one of our offices to book an appointment with Dr. Schwarcz today. You can also request an appointment through this website using our online scheduling tool. REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT

Give Your Face a Fresh Look for the Upcoming Holidays With a Chemical Peel As the holiday season draws near, it’s natural to want to look your best. If a revitalized complexion in time for festive gatherings or family photos tops your wish list, you may want to consider a chemical peel . This nonsurgical treatment invites a range of benefits, from a more youthful skin texture to reduced acne scars. Board-certified oculofacial plastic surgeon Robert M. Schwarcz, MD , and his team are pleased to offer chemical peels to give patients in Manhattan and Scarsdale, New York, a fresh look. Here’s a brief primer on this popular aesthetic treatment, including potential benefits you can look forward to. The basics of chemical peels During your chemical peel, your provider applies a chemical solution to your skin that does away with the top layers. When new skin replaces those layers, it appears smoother and more radiant. Chemical peels come in various intensities, including light (or “superficial”), medium, and deep. The treatment itself takes about 30-90 minutes. While a light peel may involve 1-7 days of recovery time, recovery from a medium or deep peel may take 2-3 weeks . Common issues chemical peels address include: Acne scars Fine lines and wrinkles Hyperpigmentation Melasma Redness Sun damage Uneven skin tone Local anesthetics can help reduce discomfort. If you opt for a deep chemical peel, a surgical dressing will help your skin heal. Dr. Schwarcz may also prescribe painkillers. Something to consider is that a chemical peel is an easy add on to most surgical procedures, and can be done at the same time. The biggest benefit of this is that you heal from the peel at the same time you heal from whatever other procedure you underwent. While your skin heals and regrows, you may need to apply a special ointment several times per day. Timing your pre-holiday peel Because redness can linger for weeks following a deeper peel, you may want to choose a light or medium chemical peel in the time leading up to the holidays. Plan to give yourself a good week of recovery time. During that time, you can go about your usual daily life, but you may not feel “camera ready.” Light chemical peel results are subtler than deep chemical peels, but if you plan ahead, a series of light peels over the course of a several months can bring accumulative benefits. You can also enhance your lighter peel results with other cosmetic procedures, such as Dysport ® or facial fillers , injectables that minimize wrinkles without requiring recovery time. Our team can help determine your ideal treatment plan based on your skin, beauty goals, and holiday plans. To learn more about chemical peels or to get started with your desired treatment, call one of our offices to book an appointment with Dr. Schwarcz today. You can also request an appointment through this website using our online scheduling tool. REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT

Get Tighter Looking Skin with our Fat Transfer Procedure The fat under the skin is necessary for youthful and healthy skin. Facial fat grafting will restore the damage created to facial tissue , and is used as an alternative to a facelift surgery. Because of the risks involved in laser resurfacing, some patients prefer to undergo the fat transfer procedure also known as fat grafting, instead of laser resurfacing to rejuvenate their face. The fat transfer or addition of healthy fat cells is completed in a fat grafting procedure. The Benefits of the Fat Transfer Procedure Fat grafting is a treatment that regenerates the skin by injecting fat into the layers of skin. Fat grafting sends regeneration signals through adipose cells that trigger health to surrounding cells. The adipose cells are restorative cells that are injected with the fat cells into the skin’s subcutaneous layer. Fat grafting promotes an increase in the facial skin’s fat volume and restores a desired healthy and youthful glow. Fat grafting treatments are used to reestablish fat that has been lost due to injury or age. Healthy stem cells and regenerative adipose cells that are injected with the fat will restore a healthy shine and add lift to skin tissue. Fat grafting is used to achieve results that are similar to those achieved by a facelift . To learn more about why the fat transfer procedure is the preferred method by cosmetic plastic surgeons, call our office today to schedule your consultation. REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT

How Botulinum Toxin Can Fix Asymmetrical Features Do you ever look in the mirror and wish your eyebrows or lips were more symmetrical? If so, you’re far from alone. No one’s face is perfectly symmetrical, but a generally balanced face is perceived as especially attractive in people of all genders around the world. And when features on one half of your face don’t match up well with their counterparts, it’s easy to feel self-conscious. If you’re bothered by asymmetry in your own face and cosmetic surgery isn’t ideal or feasible for you, these injections can do a lot for you. At our offices in Scarsdale and the Upper East Side of Manhattan, New York, board-certified cosmetic surgeon Robert M. Schwarcz, MD , offers botulinum toxin injections for a range of benefits. For the most part, Dr. Schwarcz uses Dysport® and Daxxify®. These products serve the same purpose as Botox®. Botulinum Toxin Type A is the active component in all of these products, although each manufacturer has its own composition. In this blog, we explore facial asymmetry, including how this minimally invasive treatment can help. What causes asymmetrical features Asymmetrical features can develop for a range of reasons, from a genetic predisposition to particular conditions, injuries, and lifestyle habits. Lifestyle and medical factors that may fuel facial asymmetry include: Bell’s palsy Stroke Facial paralysis Facial fractures Frequently sleeping in certain positions Spending a significant amount of time in the sun without UV protection Aging can also contribute to asymmetrical features, due to things like cartilage continuing to grow in your nose while you lose facial volume elsewhere. How Botulinum Toxin Helps Asymmetry Botulinum Toxin injections contain a toxin produced by bacteria that, once injected into the treatment area, temporarily weakens the muscle. Toxin may also boost your skin elasticity and prompt the production of collagen in your skin. These attributes can smooth fine lines and wrinkles and improve the symmetry of your facial features. If you notice that one of your eyebrows raises quite a bit while the other stays closer to your eyes, for example, these injections can keep the higher brow from raising as much. Toxin injections can also help smooth out common complaints, such as crow’s feet, which you may have more of on one side of your face versus the other. What to expect during and after your Toxin treatment Botulinum Toxin injection requires only a short office visit, during which your provider uses a tiny needle to inject the product into the treatment area. While many people tolerate the brief pinching sensation, you can request a topical numbing agent or ice pack for added comfort. Within a week of your treatment, you should notice less movement, fewer fine lines, and improved symmetry. On average, results last for 3-4 months , at which point you can schedule additional treatment. Daxxify® has an even longer effect, with results lasting up to 6-9 months. We also offer facial fillers that add volume for enhanced symmetry. You can pair fillers beautifully and safely with toxin injections. To learn more about Botox for better symmetry or get started with treatment, call the office convenient to you to book a consultation with Dr. Schwarcz today. You can also request an appointment online . REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT

Reasons Blepharoplasty Surgery is Suitable for You What is eyelid blepharoplasty surgery? You may be wondering the benefits and reasons one would undergo this cosmetic procedure. Several considerations and goals are involved. During a blepharoplasty procedure, the baggy, sagging, excess skin on both the upper and lower eyelids are surgically removed . As a result, peripheral vision can also improve if the skin was interfering with your line of sight. During Eyelid Blepharoplasty Blepharoplasty surgery is typically performed as an outpatient surgery. Board-certified oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Robert Schwarcz will make surgical incisions in the creases of the upper and lower eyelid to preserve a natural appearance and minimize any scarring. He will then remove the excess fat and tissue surrounding both lids. This cosmetic procedure can be performed simultaneous to other enhancements such as a brow lift which can reverse years of aging and pull the skin together for a tighter appearance. In addition to cosmetic surgeries, Dr. Schwarcz is able to perform reconstructive surgeries including eyelid ptosis repair, ectropion, entropion, tear duct repair, and lower eyelid retraction . Contact our New York practices to schedule your consultation with board-certified oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Schwarcz today. His training, expertise and experience make him supremely qualified to perform these complicated and delicate facial and eye surgeries. REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT

The 411 On Eyelid Blepharoplasty With time, the muscles surrounding the eyes lose their strength. This can cause loose folds and sagging skin in the upper eyelids and bags under the eyes. Not only does this give the face a tired appearance, but it can also impair vision and make it difficult to wear contact lenses. In extreme cases, there can be muscle fatigue from trying hold the eyes open and irritation from the excess skin rubbing together. Eyelid blepharoplasty is the solution to the aging of the eyes. How Aging Affects the Eyes: Over time, the upper eyelids can develop extra fat, muscle, and wrinkles. This can make a person appear sleepy, lazy, or even angry. The skin under the eyes can lose its elasticity and fat can collect under the eye. This can make a person appear overly tired and much older than they are. What is Eyelid Blepharoplasty? Commonly known as lid surgery, blepharoplasty removes excess fat, skin, and tissue from the eyelids. The procedure can be performed on both the upper and lower eyelids to get rid of droopy skin and improve the field of vision. Lid surgery is an effective way for both men and women to reverse the signs of aging and make their face appear more youthful and rejuvenated. Common Types of Eyelid Blepharoplasty: To correct the upper eyelid droop, an incision is made along the crease of the eyelid in order to remove the excess tissue. The incision is then sutured to make the skin above the eye smoother and tighter. A lower eyelid blepharoplasty is most often done using an incision. The most common surgical technique uses a transconjunctival approach in which the incision is made along the lower eyelashes to minimize the visibility of scars. Laser resurfacing and hyaluronic acid fillers can also be used to remove wrinkles and tighten the skin around the eye. These non-invasive procedures are well-suited for treating hooded eyelids and bags under the eyes. Who Is a Candidate for Eyelid Blepharoplasty? Candidates for eyelid surgery must be above the age of 18. Most people who choose the procedure have loose or excess skin along the upper eyelids that interferes with their vision. The surgery is also appropriate for those with bags, dark circles, or puffiness around the eyes. REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT

Risks of Skin Cancer & Pre-Cancerous Lesions Skin cancer is dangerous and presents real health issues for an individual diagnosed with one of the many forms of skin cancer or a pre-cancerous skin lesion that has not yet developed into cancer. Both must be treated and removed in a timely manner to eliminate any health risk. Many people can develop skin tumors from excessive sun exposure, lack of sun protection, and inadequate care of the skin. This is why such cancers must be detected and screened by a doctor. Skin cancer can develop on the body as well as the face. When present on the face, the tumor can leave behind scars if left to grow very large. Various removal and surgery techniques exist to eliminate pre-cancerous lesions and skin cancer tumors. Mohs surgery is one surgical method of skin cancer treatment and removal which extracts each layer of tumors present in the skin. Curettage and electrodessication is another method used to treat basal cell and squamous cell cancers. This procedure can be performed by a general surgeon or dermatologist. Dr. Schwarcz is a cosmetic plastic and reconstructive surgeon who routinely performs skin cancer surgery removal and treatments. REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT

How Is a Mid-Facelift Different? If you’re bothered by your reflection or how you appear in photos as years go by, you may be considering a facelift . These popular procedures resculpt your face to reverse various signs of aging. And while the goals of most facelifts are the same, all techniques are not created equally. Board-certified oculofacial plastic surgeon Robert M. Schwarcz, MD , with locations in Manhattan and in Scarsdale, New York, offers mid-facelifts for qualifying candidates in search of a more youthful look. Here, we explain more about this procedure, including how it varies from other facelifts and what you can expect from the results. The mid-facelift difference The mid-facelift surgery uses the same incisions as traditional facelifts, but they go deeper. Targeting your face’s muscle tissue, the procedure allows Dr. Schwarcz to shift the muscles around your cheeks and nose upward. He then stitches the tissues into the structures below your eye sockets. These steps raise the high points of your cheeks, creating a rounder, younger-looking appearance and addressing loss of volume and sagging. Some experts believe that the mid-facelift brings more natural-looking results while addressing the areas of the face most affected by early signs of aging. Mid-facelifts take about 60-90 minutes, versus the 2-4 hours required for a conventional facelift. And most people can get back to their usual daily activities within a week. Good candidates for a mid-facelift You may be a good candidate for a mid-facelift if you’re bothered by changes in your face in your 30s, 40s, or early 50s. It can be performed as an initial cosmetic surgery or as a reconstructive procedure to correct an issue from a facelift gone wrong. Common concerns addressed by a mid-facelift include: Moderate to severe wrinkles Deep nasolabial folds Sagging or loose skin Sunken cheeks Good candidates are also in generally good health, have realistic expectations, and have some amount of elasticity remaining in their skin. You should also be prepared to take care of your skin through a healthy lifestyle, prioritizing practices like sun protection, good sleep hygiene, and quitting smoking. While these habits aren’t required for you to get a mid-facelift, they can help ensure that you get the most out of your results. To learn more about the mid-facelift procedure or other desired treatments available from Dr. Schwarcz, call one of our offices to book an appointment today. You can also request an appointment using our online scheduling tool. REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT

Trust An Oculoplastic Surgeon With Eyelid Surgery Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is performed to expand the area of view that the eye is capable of seeing. In addition, it is a cosmetic enhancement procedure performed. This procedure has the potential to improve the patient’s quality of life, bringing many benefits with refreshed and rejuvenated eyelids. There are also some side-effects the patient should be aware of before making the decision to undergo blepharoplasty. The Benefits of Blepharoplasty One of the primary changes that a patient may notice is an increase in peripheral vision. This is because the procedure reduces excess skin and fat around the eyes. The benefits of expanded vision are many-fold and can positively affect all areas of life. Among its aesthetic benefits, eyelid cosmetic surgery will smooth the area around the eye, making the patient look younger, less tired and more refreshed. Even the forehead muscles can benefit, since after the surgery they will have to expend less energy to hold the eyes open. Much as with expanded vision, having a more youthful appearance can offer many subtle advantages to the patient. The Healing Process As with all surgeries, cosmetic or otherwise, there are some potential side-effects that may occur. Following the instructions of the blepharoplasty surgeon can reduce the chances of this risk, so the patient should be sure to discuss it with Dr. Schwarcz before and after the surgery. Infection around the incision of the eyelid is a possibility, as is bleeding, and so care must be taken with this incision to make sure it stays closed and dressed. Scarring is also a risk, but one of the advantages of this surgery is that the scar tends to stay hidden in the crease of the eyelid. REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT

Potential Side-Effects of Eyelid Surgery Eyelid blepharoplasty surgery can greatly help enhance and revive a youthful appearance by tightening loose, sagging skin around your eyes . However, there will be a temporary period of discomfort while you recover from the surgery. With natural-looking results, the discomfort should subside during the recovery period. Your cosmetic oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Robert Schwarcz will explain more about what you can expect after the surgery for a swift recovery. Below are some potential side effects of eyelid blepharoplasty that patients should be aware of in preparation of this cosmetic procedure. Pain, bruising, and swelling. A certain level of pain is inevitable after any surgery. Follow your surgeon’s recommendations for pain-relieving medication. Some surgeons recommend the use of cold compresses to help with post-surgical pain and swelling, but others say the cold may damage the delicate skin around the eyes. If you do use cold compresses, be careful to use them only briefly. Bruising and swelling around the eyes should clear up in a week, although some minor swelling may persist for longer. Excessive swelling, or swelling that becomes hot and inflamed, can be a sign of infection. Call your doctor immediately if this happens. Dry or itchy eyes. Even after the pain from cosmetic blepharoplasty has subsided, you may still experience temporary itching and dryness in your eyes. This can be treated with anti-itch cream on the eyelids and lubricating drops in the eyes. Light sensitivity. Your eyes will probably be sensitive to light for a few days after eyelid blepharoplasty. If you have to go out in the sun, wear dark sunglasses and preferably a wide-brimmed hat to help protect your eyes. This will also help hide the incisions. Scarring. Surgical incisions always produce scars, but properly performed eyelid blepharoplasty surgery should not result in obvious, visible scarring. The incisions are very small and made in places where they will be hidden by the natural features of the eyes, such as along the upper fold of the eyelid and beneath the lower lashes. Your cosmetic surgeon will make every effort to minimize and hide any scars that result from the surgery. Be sure to ask your doctor any questions that you may have about your cosmetic blepharoplasty. Attend all scheduled follow-up visits so you can be sure of getting the best results from your surgery. After the healing process is over, you can enjoy your beautiful, bold new eyelids. REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT