Plastic Surgery Practice

In this episode of the Plastic Surgery Practice podcast, host Alison Werner interviews Babak Azizzadeh, MD, FACS, a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon and director of the Facial Paralysis Institute in Los Angeles. They discuss the nuances of plastic surgery and aesthetic procedures for younger patients, focusing on rhinoplasty and lip fillers.

Overview of Topic

Azizzadeh elaborates on the increasing demand for aesthetic procedures among younger individuals. He provides insights into the physical and social factors influencing the decision to undergo procedures like rhinoplasty and lip fillers, emphasizing the importance of timing and psychological readiness.

Key Takeaway 1: Considerations for Rhinoplasty in Young Patients

Azizzadeh highlights that rhinoplasty is most popular among teenagers and young adults, typically between the ages of 16 and 24. The physical readiness for surgery depends on the individual's growth and development, with girls often being ready around 15 or 16, and boys a bit later. He stresses the importance of ensuring that the septum and facial growth are complete to avoid stunting facial development.

Key Takeaway 2: The Social Dynamics of Surgery

The social aspects of plastic surgery for minors are complex. Azizzadeh points out that both the patient and their parents must be aligned in their decision-making. Effective communication and mutual agreement are crucial. He also addresses the significant psychosocial impact of nasal deformities, noting that timely intervention can prevent bullying and improve social interactions.

Key Takeaway 3: The Psychological Evaluation Process

Azizzadeh explains that the initial consultation with young patients and their parents is thorough, often lasting up to an hour. During this time, he assesses the psychological readiness and maturity of the patient, as well as the family dynamics. He emphasizes the importance of realistic expectations and continuous evaluation to ensure the suitability of the procedure.

Key Takeaway 4: Timing and Recovery for Surgery

Timing the surgery is critical, with Azizzadeh preferring to schedule procedures early in the summer to allow for ample recovery time. He explains that while the initial recuperation from rhinoplasty is quick, the final results can take longer to manifest, necessitating a more extended recovery period to achieve optimal outcomes.

Key Takeaway 5: Lip Fillers in Younger Patients

Lip fillers are increasingly popular among young adults, particularly those in their 20s, driven by social media influence. Azizzadeh advises a conservative approach, starting with small amounts of filler to achieve a natural look. He warns against overdoing lip fillers, which can result in unnatural appearances and necessitate correction.

Key Takeaway 6: The Impact of Social Media

Social media has profoundly changed the landscape of plastic surgery, making younger patients more informed and opinionated about their desired procedures. Azizzadeh acknowledges the challenge of managing expectations but finds that younger patients are generally open-minded and receptive to professional advice.

Conclusion

Azizzadeh appreciates the enthusiasm and satisfaction of younger patients when procedures are done correctly and conservatively. He emphasizes the importance of education and realistic expectations, ensuring that both physical and psychological factors are considered before proceeding with any aesthetic procedure.

Introduction

In a recent episode of the Plastic Surgery Practice Podcast, hosts Alison Werner and Keri Stephens welcomed Stuart Mohr, Vice President of Marketing and Clinical at Jan Marini Skin Research. The discussion centered around the integration of clinically-backed skincare products to enhance practice procedures, results, and return on investment (ROI).

Stuart Mohr’s Background

Stuart Mohr shared his extensive background in the aesthetics industry, spanning nearly 25 years. Initially a biomedical and electrical engineer designing lasers for ophthalmology and dermatology, Mohr transitioned to marketing after obtaining his MBA. He has been with Jan Marini Skin Research for 15 years, bringing a unique perspective to the intersection of clinical results and business operations in aesthetics.

The Role of Professional Skincare in Aesthetic Practices

Mohr emphasized the importance of incorporating professional skincare into aesthetic practices. He highlighted that while patients visit for specific services like laser treatments or peels, their daily home care regimen significantly impacts the overall results. According to a New Beauty Magazine survey, over 80% of patients desired product recommendations from their practices to achieve better results.

Key Takeaway 1: Integration of Professional Skincare

Practices should recommend clinically proven skincare products to patients for use between office visits. This approach ensures superior results, faster patient satisfaction, and continuous engagement with the practice.

Selecting the Right Skincare Products

When selecting skincare lines, plastic surgeons should prioritize products backed by scientific data and clinical studies. Mohr discussed a non-hydroquinone hyperpigmentation product from Jan Marini Skin Research that outperformed 4% hydroquinone in a split-face study, demonstrating the importance of evidence-based choices.

Key Takeaway 2: Evidence-Based Product Selection

Products should be chosen based on their proven efficacy in delivering results, as demonstrated through rigorous clinical studies.

Enhancing Results and Profitability

Mohr illustrated how combining skincare products with in-office treatments can enhance results and profitability. For example, using home care products in conjunction with laser treatments for rosacea showed statistically significant improvements compared to laser treatments alone. This not only improves patient outcomes but also increases practice profitability.

Key Takeaway 3: Increased Profitability

Integrating professional skincare can double the profitability per hour in practices, with zero added room or staff time.

Maintaining Patient Engagement

To maintain patient engagement, Jan Marini Skin Research offers an e-commerce solution that allows patients to purchase products online. This ensures continuous product availability and ties the patient’s purchases back to the practice, providing ongoing revenue.

Key Takeaway 4: Continuous Engagement and Revenue

Providing an easy way for patients to purchase recommended skincare products online ensures continuous engagement and additional revenue streams for the practice.

Conclusion

The podcast concluded with Mohr highlighting the dual benefits of incorporating professional skincare products: enhanced patient results and increased practice profitability. He encouraged plastic surgeons to select skincare lines based on scientific evidence and to leverage these products to build stronger, longer-lasting relationships with their patients.

Stuart Mohr's insights offer a roadmap for aesthetic practices aiming to optimize both clinical outcomes and business success through the strategic use of professional skincare products.

In this episode, Dr Gregory Keller, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon with offices in Beverly Hills and Santa Barbara, Calif, and full clinical professor and member of the medical staff at UCLA, talks about what it means for your practice and patient relationships to offer retail skincare products in office and what stands out to him about the Defenage line of skincare and haircare products. 

This week, we revisit our conversation with Terri Ross, a well-known aesthetics practice management consultant. She talks about how a med spa can benefit the plastic surgery practice financially and improve patient outcomes and the lifetime value of a patient to the practice.

Dr Sal Pacella, division head of plastic surgery at Scripps Hospital, on the opportunities to change a child’s life through reconstructive plastic surgery with the non-profit Fresh Start Surgical Gifts. 

In this episode, Dr Elisabeth Potter, who specializes in DIEP flap breast procedures, on how the recent CMS decision ensures patients have options and why there is still more work to be done to ensure equitable access. 

In this episode, Max Stock, founder and CEO fo Epicutis Skincare, joins the podcast to talk about the company's products, how they were developed, why they're ideal for plastic surgery patients post procedure, and how Epicutis works with plastic surgery practice to build better patient relationships. 

In this podcast episode, Dr Alex Zuriarrain is back to talk about the surgical and non-surgical neck lift options, who’s a good candidate for what, and setting realistic expectations with your patients. 

In this episode, Leah Garcia and Dr Felipe Jimenez of Nulastin, the hair care brand focused on elastin replenishment, on why hair care products should be part of a plastic surgery practice’s retail offerings and its line of products featuring its patented Elastaplex technology. 

In this podcast, we look at facial paralysis, facial reconstruction, and the role of the plastic surgeon, Babak Azizzadeh, MD, FACS, a double-board certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, specializing in the field. In this episode:

• Founder and director of The Facial Paralysis Institute and associate clinical professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Azizzadeh shares how it was a family friend’s experience with facial paralysis while he was doing his residency that sparked his passion for this subspecialty.
• Most of the time, Azizzadeh explains, we don’t think about the 17 muscles on either side of our face—the ones that allow us to express ourselves and control how our mouth for eating and speaking and opening and closing our eyes. The brain and the facial nerve work together seamlessly. But when there is an injury, virus, inflammation, infection, or tumor that interrupts that nerve, the face can stop working normally—and that is when facial paralysis can set in.
• Azizzadeh explains the role of the facial plastic surgeon in managing facial paralysis. He talks about how most plastic surgery is about creating some improvement in symmetry or static procedures, like face lifts. Facial paralysis, on the other hand, requires more dynamic reconstructive efforts to allow the patient to, for example, “smile more naturally, emotionally, and more instinctually, according to Azizzadeh.
• In his breakdown of the procedures in his armamentarium, Azizzadeh explains that no two patients present the same. Facial paralysis, however, can be broken down into two categories which come down to zero activity and some activity. He explains how length of paralysis affects surgical choices and how muscles from other parts of the body can be used introduced where facial muscles have atrophied.
• For patients experiencing facial paralysis caused by Bell’s Palsy, Azizzadeh explains how he is using Botox and physiotherapy to improve patient’s facial movement.
• And then, Azizzadeh talks about his own pioneering work in the field, including his surgery called selective neurolysis to help patients regain the ability to produce natural facial expressions. PSP