Wednesday 23 November 2016

The Science of Beauty - What Makes A Perfect Nose?

Beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder and ideals of beauty differ from culture to culture. However, cosmetic surgeons generally agree on the characteristics required for an aesthetically pleasing nose.

That your nose suits your face is of course the most important thing and looking at its proportions in relation to the rest of your features is one way to assess that.

Front view


When analysing from the front, the face is divided into thirds and fifths (five equal sections vertically and three equal sections horizontally).

An ideally proportioned nose is one that takes up a single section both vertically and horizontally. If the nose extends lower than the middle third of the face then it is too long. If the nose is wider than the middle fifth of the face then it is too wide (at least in terms of ideal Caucasian facial proportions).
A nose that is too large can dominate over other attractive facial traits such as the eyes or lips. An ideally sized nose, on the other hand, is harmonious with the rest of the features as well as the face shape.

Side view


To assess if the end of the nose projects too far outwards from the face (or not far enough), a measurement is taken from the top of the nostril crease (alar crease) up to the root of the nose (radix). Another is taken from the alar crease out to the nasal tip. The horizontal measurement is then divided by the vertical measurement. The optimum range for the calculation is 0.55 to 0.60. 



Another factor determining how long or short the nose appears is the nasofrontal angle, this is the angle formed where the nose and forehead meet. The ideal angle is between 115 and 130 degrees (115-120 for men and 120-130 for women).

Septum


The septum contains bones and cartilage and runs down the middle of the nose.  Viewed in profile, If we draw a hypothetical line from nose root (radix) to nose tip, this line must have 2 mms distance from the septum in women and must match with the septum in men.

If the septum has a convex shape or hump and protrudes over this imaginary line it is an undesirable shape. Likewise, if the line of the nose is too concave and dips too far below the line, it is also displeasing.

Equally, the septum must be straight and not deviated, which creates a lopsided appearance from the front and underneath.

Columellar and nostril rim


The fleshy external end of the septum is called the columellar. Too much or too little showing is undesirable. There are three possible configurations for the columella - normal, hanging, or retracted. The nostril rim (alar rim) can also be normal, hanging or retracted.

Nasal tip


The nasal tip should be proportional in terms of size and width and not be round and bulbous. When viewed from below, the nasal tip should be triangular shaped but without sharp edges or angles (called a soft triangle).

With a nasal tip rotated at 106 degrees, Scarlett Johansson is said to have a 'perfect' nose.
Image credit: Georges Biard

The angle of rotation at the nasal tip (the amount the nose is turned up) is also important. Measured from the lip up, the ideal range of rotation is 90 to 100 degrees for men and 95 to 110 degrees for women.

A female nose that is rotated less than 90 degrees to the face looks droopy, long and masculine.

The perfect fit for you

When assessing a patient for rhinoplasty surgery, these guidelines help a surgeon determine how best to improve the appearance of the nose, however it’s not a one-size-fits all approach.

Come for a consultation at Ocean Clinic Marbella and we will consider a number of factors when making a treatment plan. We will ask you to tell us the aspects of your nose you’re unhappy with, consider the proportions of your nose in respect of your ethnic background and assess the surgical possibilities (we can only work with what you’ve got!).

‘Perfect’ proportions in noses don’t always create the most attractive face, so we always endeavour to assess your face as a whole and design a nose that’s right for you.

Contact Ocean Clinic Marbella for a free rhinoplasty consultation on (+34) 951 775518.

Wednesday 16 November 2016

Brazilian Tummy Tuck vs. Normal Tummy Tuck – What’s the Difference?

First there was the tummy tuck, then there was the ‘Brazilian tummy tuck’ - but do you really know the difference?


In truth, a ‘Brazilian tummy tuck’ is actually nothing new, it’s just a marketing name given to abdominal surgery which combines two procedures.

In addition to a classic tummy tuck, the ‘Brazilian tummy tuck’ incorporates liposuction to sculpt the torso. This ensures an aesthetically pleasing silhouette, which is why all tummy tucks carried out by Ocean Clinic’s Head Surgeon Dr. Kaye already employ intensive lipo remodelling.

An unparalleled result


By combining traditional tummy tuck techniques with liposculpture it is possible to achieve impressive results. Even women with ‘mummy tummies’ suffering from stretched out muscles, loose skin and impossible-to-shift fat deposits can have a completely flat stomach again.


Fat is also removed from the waist, flanks and upper abdomen in order to achieve a shapely hourglass figure. For many women, undergoing a ‘Brazilian tummy tuck’ can give them a better physique than they had pre-pregnancy.

It’s also the ideal treatment for patients who have lost significant amounts of weight but still have sagging skin and stubborn pockets of fat detracting from their new, hard-won figures.

A holistic treatment


A ‘Brazilian tummy tuck’ addresses all abdominal issues including muscle laxity or damage, hernias, lax or excess skin and fat deposits.

To begin, an incision is made below the bikini line through which the muscles of the abdominal wall are tightened, offering a firm and toned tummy foundation.

Next, the skin and tissue is drawn down and pulled taught. Any excess is cut off and then the remainder secured in place. As well as providing a flat silhouette this improves the appearance of crêpey skin, stretch marks and scars.

To complete the remodelling, the surgeon acts as artist, using liposuction to remove fat deposits from the waist and flanks, banishing those dreaded ‘love-handles’ and ‘muffin tops’.


The surgeon targets any remaining lumps, bumps or bulges in order to sculpt clean lines. The end-result is a tight, toned and shapely figure that enables you to wear figure-hugging outfits with confidence. Take a look at our before and after gallery here.

The surgery is suitable for both female and male patients.

If you are interested in remodelling your midriff, make an appointment for a free consultation at Ocean Clinic Marbella on (+34) 951 775 518.

Friday 4 November 2016

Pucker Up – Get the Lowdown on Lip Fillers

Full lips are becoming an increasingly more important ideal of beauty, according to data from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.

Hyaluronic acid lip filler treatments saw a 27% increase in 2015, with more than two million procedures performed across the US. Here at Ocean Clinic Marbella, we too have noticed an increase in the number of patients requesting lip enhancement.
Indeed, it is now one of the most popular non-surgical procedures for younger women, with large pouts popularised by reality TV stars and social media personalities.
However, lip filler is not only for creating celebrity-style looks, it’s an effective way to replace lost volume in thinning lips and banish those ageing ‘smoker’s lines’.

Why lips thin as we age


Young lips are full because young skin contains plenty of collagen and naturally occurring hyaluronic acid.

Because of the degradation of collagen and elastin over time, all lips lose volume as we grow older. Lips thin and narrow, the amount of ‘red’ showing decreases and the white roll that navigates around the lips starts to disappear.

This results in less definition and you may notice your lipstick starts to bleed over the edges of your lips, while vertical lines (known as perioral lines) begin to appear on your upper lip.

When this starts to happen depends on three factors. It is primarily dictated by genetics, but sun exposure and smoking can also greatly accelerate the process. 

Maximum upper lip thickness is reached in girls at the age of 14 but lips begin to thin after age 16 and loss of volume is a common complaint in women in their 30s and 40s.

Ageing lips lose volume and develop lines

How lip fillers work


Lip fillers such as Juvederm, Restylane and Perlane contain hyaluronic acid – the substance produced naturally by the body, which is responsible for nice plump lips (alongside collagen).

When injected into the lips, these soft gel fillers feel absolutely natural and move normally, with minimal potential for nodularity.

Hyaluronic acid lip fillers are a temporary, non-surgical treatment. How long the results last for depends on the product used and your body’s rate of absorption. Around 6-9 months is typical, however a longer lasting lip filler is now available.

Juvederm Volbella has been found to effectively increase lip fullness and soften the appearance of lines in most patients for in excess of one year. The formula blends different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, which contributes to the gel's duration.

Although it was already approved for use in Europe, Juvederm Volbella now has approval from the FDA in the US following a clinical trial. Nearly 170 subjects were treated with the filler and observed for more than a year.

Approximately two-thirds of subjects saw improvement in lip fullness and perioral lines  around the mouth that lasted longer than one year.


A permanent solution


As an alternative to hyaluronic acid, a patient’s own body fat can be used as a lip filler. As well as being completely natural, one of the key benefits of this lip enhancement technique is its longevity.

The fat is carefully transplanted into the lips so that it can gain a blood supply and therefore become permanent tissue. Although patients experience some initial reabsorption of fat – and again this differs from person to person – that which persists after six months can remain for many years.

If a patient desires a plumper effect, a second injection of fat can be carried out at a later date to increase ‘take’.

Creating a natural looking result


Whether you opt for hyaluronic acid or fat lip fillers, we advise you to go for a natural looking aesthetic – plump, youthful and kissable, but not an over-inflated ‘trout pout’!

Research has shown that thin lips can be more detrimental to a person’s perceived age than wrinkles and grey hair.

We aim to give you your full teenage lips back, restoring volume where it has been lost and filling out lines. This way, we can take years off your appearance without it being obvious you have had a surgical procedure.

Would you like to find out more about lip fillers? Contact Ocean Clinic Marbella on info@oceanclinic.net or 951 775 518.