Extended Medical Listings

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon "Voted one of the Region's 'Top Doctors' for Six Consecutive Years" — Castle Connolly Medical Ltd.

High-tech beauty — an up close look at how technology has impacted plastic surgery and cosmetic enhancement.

By Trudie Mitschang

From smart phones and GPS to wireless communication, technology has changed how we work, live and interact. In the field of plastic surgery, technology and innovation have changed how we pursue physical perfection, making it easier, faster and more affordable than ever to look and feel beautiful.

When talking technology trends, it is always helpful to go to the source: Dr. Mark V. Sofonio is one of the country's most preeminent plastic surgeons and has been on the leading edge of innovation for the past decade.

SKIN REJUVENATION AND WRINKLE REMOVAL

We asked Dr. Sofonio for a run down on the latest breakthroughs in anti-aging, and he noted that advances in skin care and skin rejuvenation are leading the way in terms of technology. While Retin A used to be the main prescription for a younger complexion, antioxidants are now being used to revive age-worn skin. Many of the newer products help regenerate skin tissue and boost collagen production, infusing new vitality. Dr. Sofonio says that many of these developments are in response to consumer demand.

"The Baby Boomers have really helped push technology when it comes to non-operative procedures and anti-aging products," he says. "This is a generation that wants less down time, less risk and greater affordability. That's what's happening today, and we can offer patients all of this with much nicer, more natural results."

Sun protection is a big concern in the desert, and Dr. Sofonio says sunblock products are evolving as the FDA revises the current SPF system. Dr. Sofonio advises everyone, especially those on a physician-prescribed skincare regimen, to use a full-spectrum sunscreen formulated for their skin type.

Wrinkle erasers are a booming business at most plastic surgery practices. Dr. Sofonio says neuromuscular blockers such as Botox® and Dysport® remain very good options for eliminating expression lines. He adds that the FDA is currently looking at a new injection-free delivery system for Botox that would be applied to the skin topically, with the same great results.

Volumizers have also evolved in the past decade, with products like Restylane® and Juvederm® leading the pack. "These products are very effective and inexpensive," Dr. Sofonio notes. "They are especially effective around the corners of the mouth, the lips, and in the nasolabial folds."

Another product Dr. Sofonio touts is Radiance®, which lasts between one and two years, but is not recommended for use on the lips because of its thicker consistency. The FDA-approved Sculptra® is another buzz-generating filler that stimulates skin's collagen production.

ULTRASOUND INNOVATIONS FOR THE FACE AND BODY.

Dr. Sofonio is the only plastic surgeon in the desert to offer the new Ulthera ultrasound treatment, as featured in the April 2011 issue of Vogue magazine. Ulthera harnesses ultrasound technology to target the same muscle tissue that is tightened during facelift surgery, but there is no down time and no surgery is required. The FDA-approved Ulthera is performed in the office and takes from 45 to 90 minutes depending on the area(s) treated. Dr. Sofonio says he is achieving great results and positive feedback from patients who have tried Ulthera.

Ultrasound is also being used to change the way fat removal is performed. Dr. Sofonio says that using high-dose ultrasound to liquefy fat is already approved for use in Europe and Canada as a nonoperative way to eliminate fat, and it's a technique worth watching.

In terms of today's skin-specific lasers, Dr. Sofonio's state-of-the-art practice naturally boasts nearly every type of laser, including the goldstandard fractionated CO2 Laser. IPL or Intense Pulsed Light is another treatment preferred by Dr. Sofonio. Although not a true laser, IPL effectively eliminates sun damage, brown spots, enlarged pores and other concerns. IPL can be used to treat the entire body, with no downtime.

A MODERN TAKE ON FACE LIFTS.

Dr. Sofonio is known for his artistic eye and advanced training in face lift surgery. While a face lift can work wonders, he explains there are few "quick fixes," that produce lasting results.

"A one-hour face lift will not give you the same result as a deep face lift that involves moving muscle and underlying tissue," he says. "Your bone structure, heredity, and skin texture also play a role in your outcome. Patients should ask a lot of questions and do their homework before undergoing any procedure."

Dr. Sofonio says that the field of plastic surgery is constantly evolving. In the past decade alone, improvements in endoscopic procedures, mid-face lifts, and brow lifts have resulted in longer-lasting more natural results.

Patients seeking to improve their appearance through cosmetic enhancement have never had more options at their disposal. As technology advances, procedures continue to become less invasive and more accessible.

"We have a whole new arsenal of procedures for people who want to turn back the hands of time," says Dr. Sofonio. "Just 10 years ago, the emphasis was on operative procedures. Today we have minimally invasive, zero-down time options that can dramatically improve ones' appearance and boost self esteem."

ABOUT DR. SOFONIO

Dr. Sofonio has been certified twice by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Recognized as the desert's go-to expert in plastic surgery, Dr. Sofonio utilizes his own on-site, state-of-the-art surgical center, approved by the State of California Institute for Medical Quality, and only employs board-certified M.D. anesthesiologists for surgical procedures. Dr. Sofonio has been Section Chief, Department of Plastic Surgery for nearly a decade at Eisenhower Medical Center, and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. He completed medical school at UCLA and later ran a burn unit/wound care center at the Medical College of New York. He has received extra cosmetic surgery training from some of the world's foremost aesthetic surgeons at the Connell Aesthetic Surgery Institute. Dr. Sofonio was honored in 2008 with the 306th star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars, a tribute to his exemplary career as well as his tireless philanthropic efforts. Dr. Sofonio donates to over 100 local charities and will support any local charity organization that asks for support.

Eisenhower Medical Center
39000 Bob Hope Drive, Kiewit Building, Ste. 407
Rancho Mirage, CA, 92270
1-760-341-5555
www.DrSofonio.com