Our favorite Roswell hair salon has moved.  The motif of the newly restored home of JH Design Studio in historic Downtown Roswell echoes the creativity and business dynamic of owners Whitney Johnson and Barbara Horvath. With its sage green walls and vaulted wood ceiling, the space has the look and feel of a high-end salon, but Johnson and Horvath have personally selected warm accessories that give it a comfortable, approachable and inviting vibe—much like the team at JH Design Studio….comfortable, approachable and inviting.

Built using reclaimed wood dating back to the Civil War, the space is a beautiful melding of a traditional 1930s home with a warm contemporary verve. “We wanted to maintain the historic elegance and integrity of the house, but make it fresh and functional,” explains Horvath who worked side-by-side with her husband, Darren Horvath, to transform the drab house into the welcoming, light-filled hair design studio it is today.

“A.C.C.M.S., who we hired to oversee the project, was tremendously supportive of our hands-on involvement. It allowed Darren–a lawyer by day–to complete most of the interior finish work, and his passion for restoration and meticulous attention to detail wows visitors from the moment they enter the building. We just love owning a piece of Roswell’s rich history.”

The beautiful space is a reflection of the refined and comfortable service you will experience at JH Design Studio. From the moment you walk in the door of this sophisticated and soothing salon you are experiencing the finest in hair-care hospitality. New clients aren’t treated like potential revenue; they are treated like new friends. And appointments with their regular clients are nothing short of friendly visits.

“We are fortunate that we genuinely enjoy everyone that comes in,” explains Johnson.

“We have a broad spectrum of clients from many different walks of life. Some of them we’ve been through a lot with through the years, and there’s a camaraderie that we have naturally come to enjoy. Our clients have become a big part of our lives.”

What distinguishes them from other fine salons? They are approachable, explains Johnson. “First-time clients are sometimes surprised to find out that we’re just normal people,” adds Horvath.

“While a client is here in our salon, we make every effort to ensure that they have a comfortable,  pleasant experience. We greet you when you walk in the door and offer you a beverage, as if you are a guest in our home. And then we talk about your hair. We build time in for a consultation so that we’re not rushed and you can enjoy your visit,” explains Johnson.

“We want you to have the best experience you’ve ever had, and we also want you to have the best results you’ve ever had,” adds Horvath. “We can take the length or style that works for you and keep it current. We want you to feel special when you walk in the door and even more special when you leave.”

by Amber Mette

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For more information, visit www.jhhairdesign com  or call 770.649.8787.

Photography by Chris Hornaday.

I nodded knowingly. Eminence is the skin care line that Facelogic, a local skincare spa that I enjoy visiting, uses for their elite organic facials. By taking advantage of their membership packages and low overhead, you can enjoy the benefits of regular quality facials for much less than you would pay at a resort like the one I enjoyed or a day spa. And the signature products and expert care are the same. An affordable annual membership at Facelogic ensures that you will schedule a monthly facial and you will also benefit from a comprehensive skincare plan, ongoing skincare consultations and education and discounts on other skincare products and services.

By focusing exclusively on facial services, Facelogic is able to offer an extensive menu with something for everyone including men and women with varying skin characteristics and teens. Options include their signature facial, and an array of elite facials that feature Peter Thomas Roth®, MD Skincare®and Eminence skincare products. Eminence is my favorite. This 50-year-old Hungarian company has a tradition of providing quality organic products and a commitment to keeping the planet green as evidenced by their farming, harvesting, packaging and other business management practices. Facelogic offers two aromatic organic Eminence facials; a gentle facial designed to rejuvenate sensitive skin and a stimulating facial that will leave your skin detoxified, firm and hydrated through a series of exfoliation and hydration treatments.

And fortunately, you can enjoy the been-to-the-spa glow without traveling, checking into a resort and spending a whole lot of money. Facelogic is located one-half mile north of historic downtown Roswell and introductory facials are a mere $49.

by Lorrie Bryan

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For more information, visit www.facelogicspa.com or call 678.822.0228. Bring in this article and receive $10 off the regular price in May or June.

“The most important part of our service takes place before we even touch our guest’s hair. We are going to spend some time analyzing your features and discussing your wishes and lifestyle first. Then we’re going to suggest a custom style that’s right for you—the color and cut that will make you look your personal best. If the style you want isn’t going to compliment your features or work with your hair type, we’re going to tell you up front,” says  Veronica Stone, a master stylist with more than 15 years of experience and an enduring passion for her profession.

Stone has the distinction of being one of the top color specialist in the state—she had the highest score on the American Board Certified Hair Color Test—and now she has the added distinction of being an educator/mentor/coach. “It’s my goal to pass on everything that I’ve learned in the last 15 years to other stylists that care like I do and want to learn. I want to help them build their careers and become like me or even better,” Stone explains. Thursdays are hair boot-camp day at Veronica Stone Salon. A small, hand-picked group of recent cosmetology school grads gather weekly for intense six-hour sessions of basic training, starting with a thorough understanding of the consultation process. “It’s the cornerstone of everything we do,” affirms Stone.

They progress at their own pace through the program which includes shampooing, blow drying, men’s cuts, women’s cuts, single process color and foils. “We custom tailor the program to each associate, and they are supervised at every step of the way. We take talented cosmetology school graduates who really care about hair and mold them into five-star stylist,” Stone explains.

“Veronica is amazing,” says Katrina Grigouyan, a recent cosmetology school graduate and fortunate participant in Stone’s training program. “I have learned so much in the last six months that I feel like I’ve been doing hair for five years or more.”

Stone explains that Grigoryan started as an associate at Veronica Stone Salon and has progressed to become a junior stylist with guests of her own. “Currently we have two associates and two junior stylists, and it is my mission to teach them everything they need to know and help them succeed.”

Not only do the young stylists benefit from the program, but guests benefit as well. “Through our junior stylist program we can offer services at a lower price point. Guests get the same great service and results for less money—five-star service at a high-end salon at a discounted price. You can’t beat it!” Stone adds.

by Lorrie Bryan

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For more information, visit www.veronicastonesalon.com or  call 678.957.1000 to schedule a complimentary consultation.

In today’s society where cosmetic surgery is at an all-time high and there is a major emphasis on anti-aging, many consumers will pay anything for a dip into the fountain of youth. In many cases, the fascination with youth has led to the popularity of cosmetic medical treatments, sought after by women and men of all ages, income levels and backgrounds. Propelled by the media’s focus on the youthful glow of the rich and famous, the desire of the consumer to always “keep up” has marketers and beauty-focused companies alike continuing to innovate the ways that cosmetic treatments, spa treatments and products speak to this growing desire for youth.

Searching for the treatment to target anti-aging concerns can often be a daunting task as there are an overwhelming number of products and services on the market for consumers to choose from. While cosmetic medical treatments are a great option delivering more long term results, with the economy in turmoil these days, there are many other appealing alternatives available for consumers at a fraction of the cost that deliver excellent anti-aging results.

Needles and knives aside, routine facials are the perfect alternative to combat the effects of aging. While facials are not as commonplace for the general public, spa-goers have been turning to facials for ages to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and deliver that dewy, even-toned, red-carpet complexion. The advancements in spa-technology in recent years have contributed to the increased effectiveness of facials as newer treatments and products have been formulated to deliver more targeted and long-lasting results for anti-aging skin concerns. Facials even one-up the cosmetic medical treatments in that they typically incorporate an element of relaxation, massage and pampering—a much needed necessity in this day and age.

The major opposition to facials, or any spa treatment for that matter, is that everyday consumers don’t know what to expect and are therefore intimidated by the unknown. Lucky for you, licensed estheticians at facial spas can easily identify a guest’s skin conditions through a skin analysis and recommend the best facial treatment based on the guest’s skin condition/skin concerns that day. Following the skin analysis by the esthetician, the guest typically enjoys an exfoliation treatment that focuses on removing the dead-surface skin cells to promote collagen production, and a nourishing treatment mask to target the guest’s skin concern (i.e. anti-aging).

Facials can incorporate treatments such as extractions, microdermabrasion, chemical peels or LED light therapy to maximize results and offer a more advanced form of exfoliation and cleansing. Facials are generally finished with product and treatment recommendations to educate the guest about what steps to take to maintain their skin on a daily basis.

In an age where wrinkles are passé, routine facials are the most  cost-effective way to maintain your youthful glow. If you’re too young to care or plan to age appropriately, experience facials for their relaxation value—I’m pretty sure most of us can use an hour or two of that. An affordable facial is the perfect antidote for today’s economic woes.

by Leigh Roberts

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Facelogic in Roswell offers luxurious, affordable anti-aging facials. For more information, call 678.822.0228 or visit www.facelogicspa.com

Do you ever look in the mirror and wish your nose was smaller, your bust larger or your wrinkles less noticeable? Or have you ever wished that you’d not got that zany tattoo on your arm, or that you’d been more careful the first time you selected a plastic surgeon. Perhaps you just wish your chicken lips were fuller, and the turkey neck would go away?

Fortunately, fairy tales aren’t the only place where wishes do come true. The board-certified cosmetic surgeons at Premier Image Cosmetic and Laser Surgery have been making wishes come true for decades. There are no magical potions or hocus-pocus involved—just a long-time commitment to providing patients with the best care and services available. This highly-regarded, multi-specialty practice touts:

• Three highly-qualified physicians with expertise in all areas of cosmetic surgery and skin rejuvenation

• An obvious emphasis on patient care, comfort and convenience

• An array of innovative technology and pharmaceuticals available and the expertise to use them

• An on-site surgery center

• And a new auxiliary medical spa in Roswell.

Drs. William Silver, Louis De Joseph and Marc Klein are each considered experts in their respective specialties. Silver’s early wish was to establish a multi-specialty cosmetic surgery practice and anti-aging medical spa in a comfortable atmosphere with luxurious accommodations, and his wish became reality with the founding of Premier Image  in 1970. Triple-board-certified, he is vice president and fellowship director of the American Academy of Facial and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, and one of the industry’s leading educators. He is especially sought after for his rhinoplasty expertise and frequently performs revision and reconstructive surgeries. “I enjoy seeing the results and I love to teach young surgeons how to accomplish comparable results. When you give, what you get in return is the greatest reward,” Silver explains. A 33-year veteran in the operating room, Silver combines his experience with the latest technology to create innovative low-downtime cosmetic procedures like the QT Mini Facelift which he and DeJoseph pioneered. “It’s a scaled-down version of a full facelift and offers great results with much less recovery  time,” affirms Silver. “This procedure enables us to help more patients achieve the results they desire, thereby boosting their confidence and self-esteem.”

De Joseph is one of a handful of area doctors with specialty training in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, and as such, he is an expert on everything from facelifts (full and QT Mini) to skin rejuvenation lasers and wrinkle-reducing injectables. With an array of techniques and tools available to him, De Joseph shuns an assembly-line approach to surgery and instead presents each patient with a customized treatment plan after the initial evaluation and consultation based on their specific situation and expectations. “We believe in being  completely honest with our patients and  thoroughly explaining their options. Dr. Silver and I use a process called morphing to produce a pretty accurate “after” image of the patient. We’ve had patients come in thinking they needed a facelift, and then we determine that a QT Mini will achieve their goals. Or sometimes patients who think they may need eyelift surgery can achieve more remarkable results with a “liquid lift” and customized VUE (volume under eye enhancement) procedure that utilizes fillers and has no downtime,” explains DeJoseph. He is passionate about his work and loves making patients’ wishes come true.“My biggest thrill is when a patient returns for their post-op visit and they are smiling for the first time in years. Cosmetic surgery can truly be life-changing.”

Klein, a board-certified and highly-skilled specialist in body sculpting, concurs. “I thoroughly enjoy watching my patients leave my office with a renewed sense of confidence and well-being. That’s what being a surgeon is all about. No matter what your concerns are—the contours of your body, the post pregnancy or weight-loss changes, I’m committed to finding a solution that’s right for you and achieves results that you are completely satisfied with.” In the last 15 years Klein has performed more than 10,000 procedures. Among the characteristics distinguishing him from other plastic surgeons is his focus on making the most of a patient’s natural assets, using their own tissue and minimizing scarring. “For instance, in a buttock augmentation, the long-term results are better when I use the patients’ own fat. And in breast lifts I try to avoid implants,” he explains.

“A lot of physicians are opening medical spas and offering laser and injectable services to their patients, but few of these have the level of expertise and knowledge of board-certified plastic surgeons, few have the technology and facilities that we do, and few have the commitment to their patients that we do,” Silver sums up.

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For more information, go to www.picosmeticsurgerycom, call the new medical spa, Premier Image Cosmetic and Laser Spa, located on Alpharetta Highway in Roswell, at 770.645.4310, or call the Sandy Springs practice at 770.457.6303.

Photography by Haigwood Studios.

What do you see when you look in the mirror? Frown lines between your eyes, crow’s feet beside your eyes, a brown blotch here, a red splotch there? A face that looks too old to belong to you? Fortunately, there are steps you can do to look younger that won’t consume your budget or your life. And you can eliminate risk and get optimal results by utilizing the expertise of a plastic surgeon to help you determine which treatments are right for you. With the deluge of hype, it’s not always easy to discern the facts. We asked board-certifi ed facial and body plastic surgeons Drs. Louis DeJoseph, William Silver, and Marc Klein of Premier Image Cosmetic and Laser Surgery in Atlanta to share five non-surgical steps to a younger-looking you.

1   Caring for the Skin

Your skin will benefit from proper care using medical grade topical solutions and sunscreen regardless or your age. “Often medical-grade products contain higher concentrations of active ingredients that will actually reverse some of the signs of aging,” affirms DeJoseph. The skin needs exercise and recovery just like every part of your body. It needs to be stimulated in order to stay healthy and maintain collagen volume. This requires high-quality scrubs and cleansers, combined with retinoids to stimulate, and lightening gels to even out pigment. “There is no cookbook solution for every skin type. We carefully analyze each patient’s skin and customize a program to work for their individual skin.”

Additionally, he recommends high-quality physical sun blocks to all of his patients, and particularly in conjunction with other treatments. “Regular use of sunscreen is one of the easiest and most affordable things you can do to keep your skin healthy and preserve the results of other treatments. When physical-type sunblocks are applied, the sun’s  rays bounce off of the skin rather than penetrate it. These sunblocks are especially great for sensitive skin because they don’t actually penetrate the surface of the skin, and they don’t contain irritating chemicals.” They utilize materials such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to reflect the sun before it enters the skin and causes damage. This effect is not only for anti-aging, but skin cancer prevention as well.

2  Polishing the Skin

Lasers can be used to resurface the skin and dramatically improve the texture while reducing wrinkles, fine lines and sun damage. Lasers work by vaporizing the upper layers of damaged skin at specific and controlled levels of penetration. As new cells form during the healing process, a smoother, tighter, younger-looking skin surface appears. Recovery times vary, but often less aggressive resurfacing procedures require no recovery time.

One such low downtime laser procedure is the The ArticPeel. This treatment is a popular lunchtime laser peel offered exclusively in Atlanta at Premier Image. It is a true laser skin polish! Best done in a series of three to five treatments, DeJoseph recommends this procedure for people just beginning to see the effects of sun damage and aging on their face. Patients usually experience minimal discomfort and mild redness which last for less than a day.  You can wear makeup the same day.

Silver notes that laser treatments maximize the benefits of using medical-grade skin care products. “Topical solutions can penetrate the surface of the skin better when skin has been resurfaced.” They also add to this stimulation of collagen formation; as the skin heals, it has no choice but to form more collagen.

3   Reducing Discoloration

Patients who complain of redness caused by broken capillaries or rosacea, brown sun spots or freckles are good candidates for intensive pulse light treatments (IPL).

A non-ablative technique to treat the above conditions, IPL is ideal for patients with active lifestyles because the procedure requires no downtime and has a low risk of side effects. The IPL treatment delivers high intensity pulses of broadband light that is different from the narrow band light of lasers. The intense light is delivered to the deeper parts of the skin (dermis) and leaves the superficial aspect of the skin (epidermis) untouched. The thermal  effect of IPL also causes production of new collagen. From this collagen stimulation process you will feel a significant difference in the tightness and softness of your skin and a remarkable improvement in complexion, fine lines and wrinkles. The treatment takes 30 minutes to perform. Put on a little makeup afterward and you’re back on your way.

4  Relaxing Wrinkles

According to DeJoseph, everyone is a good candidate for Botox, the injectable that relaxes facial muscles and the wrinkles associated with them. “We use it primarily to minimize those vertical frown lines between the brows, horizontal forehead lines and crow’s feet. In older patients, it relaxes the muscles and softens the lines and in younger patients regular use can actually prevent the wrinkles from developing.” It’s truly the foundation for wrinkle prevention and reduction. Its effects last approximately three to four months, so put it on your list of things to do seasonally to maintain a youthful appearance. The treatment takes 10 minutes to perform.

5  Filling Wrinkles

Injectable fillers which simulate the body’s own collagen are used to minimize laugh and marionette lines, fill out check bones and add volume to lips. “The hottest new application, called the VUE™ (volume under-eye enhancement), was developed at Premier Image and fills under eyelid areas where dark circles are the result of fat bulging and are exaggerated by the loss of volume. This loss of volume creates a dark, hollow area called the tear trough. By placing a filler into this tear-trough area, there is less shadow and therefore improvement in dark circles, making you look more youthful and rested.”

New fillers are being developed and marketed every day, and the physicians at Premier Image are continually staying abreast of new products and procedures to produce the best results for their patients. “Not everything new is necessarily better,” notes DeJoseph. “We have had the best results with Restylane, Perlane, Radiesse, Juvéderm and Sculptra. We will customize the injectable treatment for the patient, and choose the best filler for them. Often this means using several different types of injectable enhancements to achieve the patients’ goals. All injectables are done with topical anesthetic or local anesthetic blocks to ensure comfort at all times.”

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For more information visit picosmeticsurgery.com or call 770.457.6303 to schedule a consultation. Dr. Marc Klein, Dr. William Silver, and Dr. Louis DeJoseph

What is it about the sunny blue-sky days and a blossoming chartreuse landscape that stirs us to open our windows, clean out closets and get a new hair style? The daffodils start blooming and instinctively I want a fresh new look! So when I found myself yearning for a new ‘do, I went to see Whitney Johnson, Barbara Horvath and Kristine Heick at JH Design Studio in Historic Roswell. They have the expertise of a high-end Buckhead salon without the intimidation factor.

They welcome me into their comfortable salon, and then we chat—what do I want, what do I need? I explain that I’m enjoying longer hair, but open to change. I want something fresh—not frumpy, and not over produced. Like most of my friends, I don’t’ want to be a slave to my hair at six in the morning, but I want it to look good. Intrigued, I watch as Whitney and Barbara engage in a casual consultation. They read each other’s minds, finish each other’s sentences and then pronounce that we’re keeping it long and adding some shape and movement with a fresh cut.

We talk about color and they move in for a closer look. I routinely keep the gray at bay with a touchup every three or four weeks. The dynamic hair-do duo suggests I move beyond simply maintaining color to enjoying color, having interesting color. OK by me—I could apply this philosophy to my life as well. Don’t just maintain; enjoy! Bantering back and forth, they come up with a plan involving making the color warmer underneath and adding more highlights  on top. This will create dimension and contrast.

They pour me an afternoon glass of wine as I change into a smock and gratefully entrust my locks and my looks to these hair care professionals—they have more than 36 years of experience between them, they have a passion for hair, and they are good people, besides. I am on my way to a new style with shape and movement, dimension and contrast.

The time flies by as we visit. I like it here, and I’m comfortable in Whitney’s competent hands. He hears stories of my three daughters and their latest dilemmas while he expertly foils my hair. He introduces me to Kristine, the exciting addition to their studio, as my color processes. We finish solving the world’s problems as he effortlessly snips here and there. Then he styles my hair. . .

I love it!

I am fascinated (this is my hair?) and delighted (this is my hair!) all at once. It’s as if Whitney and Barbara distilled the essence of my personality and created my hair accordingly.

“There is no right or wrong look—we don’t do one-size-fits-all trendy designs. Whether your hair is long or short, we give you a fresh, customized contemporary style that reflects who you are,” Whitney explains.

They can also tell you which local bakery is the best, where to buy quality home accessories, and which Roswell restaurant serves the finest ceviche. “We’re pretty entrenched in our community and our clients are like family within this community,” Barbara notes. “I’ve known many of my clients for years.”

I collect the name of a local bakery before sashaying out the door into the beautiful spring afternoon.

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To schedule an appointment, call 770.649.8787, or click Roswell Hair Salon  for more information.

Lorrie Bryan is the hair-happy editor of North Fulton Living.

Photos by Haigwood Studios.

“I want you to help me age to my best advantage.” Many individuals are searching for a long-term plan to maximize their ability to slow down the aging process and although you can’t turn back the hands of time, effects can be dramatically slowed down and improved with the arsenal of anti-aging treatments available today.

“Not everyone wants a facelift. Some would rather have a smaller procedure or no surgery at all, and I feel it’s essential to be able to provide what my patients want,” says Dr. DeJoseph, Double-Board-Certified Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon with advanced training in facial plastic surgery, aesthetic laser treatments and injectables.

“We want to help you attain beauty for life, and the following is our recipe to looking great at every stage of your life,” says Dr. William E. Silver, Triple-Board-Certified Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon specializing in not only face-lifting procedures, but in revision rhinoplasty, otoplasty and revision and reconstructive surgery of the head, neck and face. “We all know that as we age, our bodies change,  but the aging process actually speeds up as we age,” explains Silver. “Gravity, weight changes, lifestyles, environmental and hereditary factors all play an additional role in the aging process. Our skin becomes loose due not only to gravity, but loss of collagen and elasticity noticed first under the eyes, the cheeks and jawline.”

There are many surgical and nonsurgical ways to improve your appearance and reverse the effects of the aging process. Exercising, eating healthy, not smoking and sunscreen are vital. In addition, many nonsurgical medical, skincare treatments and procedures enhance the way we look, plus offer longer lasting solutions to reduce the effects of the aging process and stimulate the production of collagen and elastin to actually reverse the hands of time.

The goal at Premier Image Cosmetic & Laser Surgery is to empower you to make the right choices with Age Management to Your Best Advantage. Following is the doctors’ overall step-by-step recipe to “Beauty for Life”…

Teens/Twenties:

Young people with physical differences such as protruding ears, large noses, uneven breasts and skin disorders feel especially self-conscious and are often less assertive in school and less active in their social lives. Surgery to correct these differences, plus medical-grade skincare treatments and products to improve the appearance and health of the skin can help boost confidence and socialization during these critical years. Good skincare and sun protection are important essentials at this time

Thirties/Forties:

Approaching “mid-life” can be scary. It’s paramount to re-consult with your plastic surgeon on an annual basis for re-evaluation and update of your treatment plan that incorporates your individual changes, concerns and goals. Photographs are updated and reviewed chronologically, the skin is re-examined, and current health factors, medications and lifestyle are reviewed.

“One may begin to notice the “11’s” or creases between the brows, as well as fine lines around the eyes or crow’s feet.” says DeJoseph. “Smile lines deepen and some notice lines around the mouth, too.” Sun damage and hormonal changes causing hyperpigmentation of the skin begin to appear.

Many mothers notice drooping breasts and a no-longer-flat tummy no matter how many sit and weight maintenance are increasingly important, but often following weight fluctuations, it may be time to explore surgical procedures such as a breast lift or tummy tuck to regain your appearance,” says Dr. Marc Klein, Board-Certified by the American Board of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. Klein limits his procedures to the body, and is as one of America’s top plastic surgeons for breast enhancement, tummy tucks and liposuction.

Fifties/Sixties:

Life doesn’t come to a halt after 50 or 60—far from it. Today, people work and have active social lives well into their 70s. Fillers can be combined with Botox to create a browlift and reduce the signs of aging around the eyes and forehead. Used in proper combination and administered optimally, fillers and injectables can wipe 10 years from a patient’s appearance without surgery.

“It’s not a matter of injecting a filler  into a groove or wrinkle; it’s a matter of re-supporting the tissues and re-volumization,” DeJoseph explains. Premier Image Cosmetic & Laser Surgery offers leading-edge use of fillers and injectables— liquid lifts as they sometimes call them. Minimal downtime is a big reason for the popularity of liquid facelifts.

Silver suggests that patients should consider fillers and injectables as an intermediate solution. “They represent a bridge, if you will, for those patients who need to have an aging-face problem addressed, but are not yet ready for surgery,” he says. Silver advises that these procedures must be touched up once or twice a year.

“One must consider other minimal incision and minimal downtime surgical procedures such as the endoscopic Browlift and Mid-Facelift or the “QT” Mini Facelift when weighing out your options,” says Silver.

The “QT” Mini Facelift is a minimal-incision facelift developed by Drs. Silver and DeJoseph for patients who just can’t afford much time away from their busy lives, but desire a fresh, rejuvenated appearance. The “QT” Lift offers all the benefits of a traditional full facelift, but with minimal down-time. Many patients return to their busy lives within three to five days.

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Photography by Jack Tuszynski.

Today, the interest in plastic surgery is at an all-time high. In fact, a new survey from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reveals that 70 percent of people considering plastic surgery have a yearly income of less than $60,000.

“Our clients are no longer just the rich and famous,” observes Dr. William Silver, board certified in both Premier Image’s Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, “but most of these people just assume if the doctor is practicing cosmetic surgery, they must be qualified. Unfortunately, that’s not always true.”

In a recent FOX 5 News health-watch special, Beth Galvin interviewed Maureen Lowenthal, a young mother of three. She’d undergone plastic surgery with the hope of restoring her pre-childbearing figure. Unfortunately, it didn’t go as well as planned and a year later, she underwent more surgery to correct the misplacement of her navel and to revise prominent scars.

Lowenthal admits she knew little about her plastic surgeon. She simply was so excited about having her shapely body back that she just said, “Sign me up.”

What can you do to avoid this kind of outcome? The board-certified surgeons at Premier Image, one of the most prestigious plastic surgeon practices in the Atlanta area, suggests the best thing you can do is slow down and ask questions.Here are their answers to our questions:

QUESTION: What’s the first question people need to ask themselves when considering plastic surgery?

Dr. Louis DeJoseph: “Why am I doing this? What do I hope to achieve?” People should undergo surgery for themselves; not for anyone else.

QUESTION: How does one find a plastic surgeon, and how do you qualify them?

Dr. William Silver: “Frequently, people are referred to me by other patients and physicians, so I would suggest you ask around. Seek a doctor who is board certified in the specific field you are considering. Before making the consultation appointment, do some Internet research and get answers to some basic questions.”

QUESTION: Why is Board Certification in specialty fields so important?

DeJoseph: “It’s like the difference in orthopedic surgeons; you have one who specializes in hand surgery and another who specializes in back surgery”. So, if you are considering a facelift or rhinoplasty, you should consult with a surgeon board certified by both the American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology/ Head & Neck Surgery. These surgeons are specialist both in functional and cosmetic surgery of the face, ears, eyes, nose and neck.

Likewise, should a person desire breast or body surgery they should consult with a surgeon Board Certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgery. These surgeons specialize in both functional and cosmetic surgery of the breasts and body.

QUESTION: What questions should a prospective patient ask at their consultation?

Silver: If it’s a young surgeon, ask how long they’ve been practicing and how many similar procedures does he/she does each month.

A doctor may have formal training and board certification, but experience is equally important. Seeing before-and-after pictures and speaking with patients about their experience can be very helpful in the decision making process.

QUESTION: Should I decide to have surgery, what additional questions should I ask about the surgery?

DeJoseph: Ask where the surgery will take place, and if a doctor of anesthesia will be with you during your procedure. A fully licensed and accredited out-patient surgery center using doctors of anesthesia should be a top priority.

“From Botox to Plastic Surgery, you need to do your homework and be sure to use board certifi ed plastic surgeons in their specialty fields.

By Jeanette Hames

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For more information, or to schedule a consultation call Premier Image Cosmetic and Laser Surgery at 770.457.6303, or visit www.PICosmeticSurgery.com

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Although she tried to accept the results and move on, Shaw recalls, “I avoided photos, and I avoided looking at myself in the mirror because it really was a sad reminder of everything that had gone wrong.” She continued to refuse pictures, even after her first child, a little girl, was born. She worried that her newly acquired lack of self-image was now affecting her family. Shaw says she didn’t want her daughter to grow up feeling her lack of esteem, so she decided to give plastic surgery one last try. This time, she would research before choosing her plastic surgeon.

“It was hard for me to open my heart and trust again,” she says, “to even consider doing something about it. I did a lot of research, and it became apparent that Dr. Silver was the doctor to go to for reconstructive plastic surgery.”

Dr. William Silver of Premier Image Cosmetic and Laser Surgery in Atlanta, who has 30 years of experience in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and specializes in revision rhinoplasty, notes, “The nose is the most complex structure on the face. Once the surgery is performed and the healing takes place, there may be some relapse of the problem that [the patient] has had. There is something that you can do in most every case to make it better.”

Silver, who holds triple board certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Otolaryngology and Cosmetic Surgery, is fellowship director of the largest regional plastic surgery society in the world, the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Surgeons from across the United States study the advanced techniques and artistic tools that Silver has cultured in his years of practice. “The most difficult of surgeries are those of the nose,” he shares. “I try to teach [other surgeons] the very intricate and complicated details needed for rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty. However, every rhinoplasty is unique and experience will be the real teacher.”

Silver shares that nearly half of the rhinoplasties he performs are revisions of the work of other surgeons who are not board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The problem is that the public is not educated on how to qualify and then choose a plastic surgeon for the procedure they are considering. Specialty Board Certification in the specific field of plastic surgery—body or facial—is paramount.

In general, there are two factors that necessitate revision surgery: one is if the nose itself becomes deformed externally, and the other is if problems develop with the nasal airway. Since Silver and his partner, Dr. Louis DeJoseph, are board certified in Otolaryngology as well as Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, they are attuned to both the functional and aesthetic aspects of the nose, lessening the need for revision procedures to correct breathing problems that can develop if the nose heals improperly after surgery.

“During Otolaryngology training, all you do is surgery on the face, so our knowledge of things such as nasal anatomy is incredible,” DeJoseph says. “We will do special things, such as increase the size of the inside of the nose that will keep the function of the nose along with the aesthetic appearance. I always tell my patients, ‘It’s one thing to have a nose look a certain way, but what use is that if it doesn’t work like a nose?’”

For Shaw, undergoing revision surgery at Premier Image Cosmetic and Laser Surgery was just what the doctor ordered. “I had my consultation with Dr. Silver, and he told me exactly what he felt he could do, and didn’t make any big, fl ashy promises like the first guy,” Shaw asserts. “I felt like everybody was really genuinely interested in my outcome and hoping for me. It was a pretty difficult surgery, but I feel completely normal again.My nose is completely reconstructed. I didn’t realize all those years that I was holding a piece of me back. I feel like myself again; I actually have photos of me with my daughter. I just feel like I’m 100 percent present for her, and I couldn’t be more pleased or more thankful.”

by Sally Crenshaw

*Actual name not used for reasons of privacy.

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For more information about facial plastic surgery or to schedule a consultation, call Premier Image Cosmetic and Laser Surgery at 770-457-6303 or visit www.PICosmeticSurgery.com The office is located at 4553 North Shallowford Road, Suite 20-B, Atlanta.