Dr. McCluskey was recently featured in The Atlantan’s Health & Beauty section. To read the above article, please click on the image to open it in a new tab to see it in its full size (some browsers may require another click on the image to “zoom” in).

It’s one of the more obvious features of the face we’ll talk about today. It is a feature that neither a front nor profile view of your head will hide. I’m talking about our ears. There are many people who are dissatisfied with the look of their ears; too large or sticking out too far or even being irregularly shaped or pointed. Unfortunately, a large segment of these people consist of children – as all parents should know, playgrounds can be among the more cruel places that force a child to become self-conscious.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery’s 2008 Procedural Survey showed that nearly 28% of all Otoplasty procedures are performed on people ages 13-19. Otoplasty involves reshaping the ear through small incisions, reshaping, or trimming cartilage to give definition to the ear and have it bend in a different way. This is actually a very good thing; physical maturity has not quite finished at those younger ages and Otoplasty procedures benefit from this; the cartilage in the ears is still flexible at those ages and can lead to a great result.

The only thing is children at that age need to show signs of maturity enough to understand what they are getting into, as well as support from their parents or guardian who are giving the OK for the procedure.

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Almost all of us have had a friend or loved one affected by breast cancer. In fact, breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women (only exceeded by skin cancer). The best way to beat cancer is to take preventative measures – the more you know the better off you will be. Following are some common myths about breast cancer that need to be dispelled, and more information about the disease that you deserve to know.
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A recent study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) compared the aging rates of identical twins. Because the participants compared were identical at birth, they are genetically programmed to shows signs of aging at the same rate. However, the twins who had gone through a divorce in the study looked an average of 2 years older than those who did not – highlighting how environmental factors, such as stress, can severely contribute to the development of wrinkles and other signs of aging. Researchers in the study also suspect that the continued use of antidepressants, that cause the muscle in your face to relax, can, over time, contribute to sagging in the face, making you look older than you might otherwise.

Luckily, there are easy and virtually painless ways to help reverse these signs of aging, no matter what your personal history. Click on the continued reading link to find out how!
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Despite what you may see in films like the summer hit Star Trek, lasers are not confined to use in intergalactic warfare. In fact, the laser provides a new, safe, and simple way to treat cosmetic problem areas more effectively than ever. Enter: the Fraxel® Laser. The Fraxel® laser is unique in that it only treats the old, damaged skins cells without affecting the healthy cells and surrounding tissue – making treatments highly targeted and effective with little to no downtime. The procedure generally causes only minimal irritation, similar to mild sunburn or a “prickling” sensation, allowing you to walk right out of the office after your treatment and continue with the rest of your day. Fraxel® procedures include treatment and repair for:

• Wrinkles
• Fine lines
• Furrows
• Acne Scars
• Surgical scars
• Bumpy or uneven skin texture
• Discoloration and uneven skin pigmentation
• Pigmented lesions (sun or age spots)
• Sun-induced redness
• Laser blepharoplasty (eye-lid surgery)
• Skin resurfacing
• Fine lines around the eyes and mouth
• Melasma (mask of pregnancy)

Dr. McCluskey is one of the only plastic surgeons in Georgia to have the original Fraxel® laser. If you are looking to help improve the look of your skin and eliminate or reduce any of the above problems contact the office to schedule a consultation.

On June 17, 2009, many cosmetic practices started offering Dysport® as another alternative to its competition, the ever-popular Botox®. While the technical merits of both are almost identical, this seems as good a time as any to refresh all our curious patients about these products.

Both Dysport® and Botox® are muscle relaxants and wrinkle removers that use a purified form of botulinum toxin as their key ingredient. Dysport® has been FDA approved for frown lines/wrinkle removal and cervical dystonia (severe neck pain and abnormal head position) treatments. Since Botox® has been around longer, allowing for more research and testing, it is also approved for treating crossed eyes, eyelid spasms, and severe underarm sweating called hyperhydrosis.

Because of its many effective uses, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) has ranked BOTOX® Cosmetic the most popular physician – administered aesthetic procedure in the United States for the fourth year in a row. This includes surgical and nonsurgical procedures combined. It will be interesting to see how the new Botox® competitor, Dysport®, will change these statistics…

Regardless of which product you choose, one of the most important things to consider when getting a Botox® or Dysport® injection is to have a skilled surgeon perform the treatment.
If you have any questions regarding Botox® or Dysport®, feel free to contact us.