Here I’m featured in a segment for FOX5 (aired Wednesday, October 28, 2008) about the health hazards of wearing contact lenses without a prescription.

David A. Schlessinger, M.D. appears on Fox 5

Dr. Schlessinger comments on Latisse

I’ve talked before about the benefits of Latisse. It’s a great product and has given many of my patients here in Woodbury some fantastic results. As a cosmetic eyelid surgeon here on the north shore of Long Island, I see many patients who have this concern and who would love to forego the application of false lashes when they get their makeup done for a special event.

Today I’d like to talk briefly about the small population of patients that this product may not be suitable for. For those of you who aren’t familiar with this product, it is put out by Allergan (also the makers of Botox) and is has been used recently to treat thinning eyelashes. In a period of 2-4 months, patients who use this prescription properly and under the care of an Ophthalmologist, can see fuller, darker and longer lashes. Truly a wonderful product for some of my patients who have been looking for a remedy for their thinning lashes!

However, all patients need to undergo an Ophthalmic Exam prior to going on the Latisse regimen. In certain cases, Latisse is not the answer. Have an ophthalmologist check to see if you have a problem that causes eyelash loss. Blepharitis, thyroid disease, eyelid skin cancers and trichelomania are some of the conditions I look for that would preclude a patient from beginning the Latisse Regimen.

For now, click here to take a look at the FAQ’s for this product. The link will take you directly to their website.

Check back to future posts where I will describe these conditions and treatments.

Dr. S

Mother’s Day is a time of commemoration and celebration for your mom. It is a time of breakfast in bed, family, pampering and…cosmetic treatments? This year, give mom (and maybe yourself) some treatments to make her look and feel refreshed.

A great treatment to start with is BOTOX® as it reduces and eliminates the appearance of facial wrinkles. While it is a very common procedure in my office, most people are still unsure of how it works. Typically injected under the skin in to areas surrounding the eyes, forehead and mouth, BOTOX® smoothes crow’s feet, frown and worry lines, as well as lines on the neck area. Made from a purified protein, BOTOX® relaxes wrinkles and gives the face a rejuvenated look. Results can be seen within a few days and can last as long as 3-6 months.

Another great option are wrinkle fillers (“plumpers”) such as JUVÉDERM®, Radiesse®, Restylane® or SILIKON®. These soft tissue fillers are injected under the skin to “plump up,” contour and smooth wrinkles, lines and hollow areas in the face, and to augment the lips or cheeks for a younger, fuller appearance. These also work well for a more mature woman that has some volume loss in her face do to the natural aging process. A few strategic injections can make the world of difference and make any woman looks years, if not a decade younger.

If injectables aren’t your cup of tea, Microdermabrasion is a great treatment for achieving flawless skin. During this procedure, the top layer of skin is gently exfoliated leaving you with an immediate vibrant ‘glow’ to your complexion. This treatment is a perfect alternative to laser or chemical peels, as there is no downtime and results are almost instantaneous. Microdermabrasion is a great way to rejuvenate your skin and keep it looking and feeling healthy.

Finally, to complete the day of pampering, eyelash tinting is a great way to enhance your eyes. Lashes are dyed darker to give you fuller, more defined lashes in just 15 minutes. Eyelash tinting is especially beneficial to people that are sensitive to make-up and have little to no time (i.e. Mothers) to apply make-up daily. This means you can walk out the door each morning without mascara and no one will be the wiser.

If you still have questions, visit my website to read more on all of these procedures and more. Just one of these treatments will leave everyone questioning; “Is that your mom or your sister?”

Photo source: www.theflowerexpert.com

Side effects caused by our bodies’ reaction to different chemicals used in cosmetic procedures are various and include temporary swelling, scarring and discomfort. If these procedures are performed by unlicensed personnel, we can also add death to that list. This was the case witnessed at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center in Bronx, New York the morning of March 17, when a woman’s search for curvier thighs and hips turned tragic. What started as dizziness, vomiting and trouble with breathing ended in cardiac arrest after the silicone used in her procedure – which was smuggled into the country illegally – clotted in her lungs. The medical examiner announced the case as a homicide and concluded the mother of two died of a silicone pulmonary embolism. The examiner also said the injections were performed by a “nonmedical, unlicensed person.”

The price of cosmetic procedures and treatments may still denote a luxury to many patients, but it should never be paid for with their lives. With the economic downturn, it would seem that more patients are turning to their discount medi-spas, or in the case mentioned above, to backroom injectors who are not licensed to use these injectables. Any patient considering a cosmetic procedure, however simple and minor it may seem, should always be aware of the complexity involved with any substance entering the body and realize the ultimate danger an uncertified and illicit practice could pose.

The tragic news of the case in the Bronx may come as a shock to many but it’s only one of many sad occurrences. Injecting silicone into the body has long been popular among the transgender community where a few years ago a 23-year-old in Georgia died a month after receiving backroom injections. Known as “pumping”, the procedure involves a motel room or house and industry-grade silicone which is injected directly into the body (conversely, medical-grade silicone is implanted under the skin in sealed pouches).

The most unfortunate aspect of these stories is that patients are often aware of the risks involved, yet still willing to jeopardize their health, or in some cases lives. Medical advancements in the plastic surgery field have made possible what couldn’t even be imagined a few decades ago and, luckily for us, made safety a priority. Still, it is the patient’s responsibility to be informed before undergoing any cosmetic procedure, no matter how safe the treatment may be. Click here for a checklist of questions to ask your physician before making any decisions regarding your cosmetic options.

Who doesn’t love a good deal? The pressures of the recent economic bust have caused even the most frugal to pinch their wallets a little harder and look for ways to save on just about everything. Online shopping has made it easier to compare costs and save some extra cash with sites like eBay listing everything from DVDs to designer shoes at bargain prices. Recently however, sellers on eBay have been auctioning illegal Botox® kits and services to unsuspecting consumers. Online buyers beware.

Since receiving FDA clearance for cosmetic purposes in 2002, Botox® has become ingrained in our pop culture lexicon. As the public became more knowledgeable about the toxin, some “do it yourself” individuals feel they are skilled enough to take on the task of injecting their friends and family, or even themselves, without any prior training. This should never happen, and there are numerous reasons why.

For starters, Botox® is a prescription-only toxin that must be stored/refrigerated properly in order to maintain its effectiveness. Online buyers who purchase it from an unaccredited source have no way of knowing how or where the Botox® was located prior to showing up at their doorstep. Additionally, there is no guarantee that the product contained within the vial is actually Botox®. It’s like playing Russian Roulette with your wrinkles. Is that a risk you’re willing to take?

Furthermore, injecting Botox® is a learned skill that takes time to perfect. How many times have you seen someone with uneven brows that are arched too high, or a forehead that never moves? The end result can be drastically affected if the injector uses too much Botox®, doesn’t inject the correct area; the list goes on.

Is saving a few dollars really worth it? After all, one seemingly small mistake can cost you a lot more in the long-run. In addition to the risks just mentioned, patients stand the risk of disfigurement, infection and scarring. These effects are usually temporary, but could last up to six months. Patients with certain neuromuscular disorders may be at an even higher risks for more serious side effects such as difficulties swallowing. These issues don’t typically occur within the parameters of a medical practice where you’re being injected by a skilled physician.

If you’re considering Botox® or another injectable/wrinkle filler like Restylane or Juvederm, it is in your best interest to do your research and seek out a qualified physician. Save eBay for those times that you’re searching for antiques and electronics. As of now, the site is pulling all ads offering illegal Botox®, which is an action I support whole-heartedly.