Rhinoplasty, if appropriate, can probably be the most rewarding aesthetic procedure you can have.  Let’s face it, your nose is the center point of your face and no amount of make- up or facial hair can disguise it! Other areas of your body you can fake…push-up bras, spanks, loose fitting suits, but nope…not your nose.

So once you have decided that having a rhinoplasty is something you want to pursue, what should you do?  Well obviously you need to pick a doctor and if you have found your way to Dr. Schoenfeld’s web site then you have done your homework!  Dr. Philip Schoenfeld is a board certified facial plastic surgeon and he has been recognized by his peers several times as a top surgeon. So after you pick your doctor, then what? Here are a few commonly asked questions that will hopefully help you:

Q: How do I get started?

A: Simply call Renu at 301 652-7368 and schedule a consultation. The consultation takes about 20 minutes and Dr. Schoenfeld will discuss the procedure with you, answer any questions you may have about the surgery, and go over in detail what to expect.

Q: Can Dr. Schoenfeld show me what I will look like if I have the rhinoplasty?

A: Yes.  Dr. Schoenfeld has fantastic imaging software.  He will take your picture and transfer it into his computer where he will be able to give you a good idea of what results you can expect.  (but remember it is a computer and not a 100% 3D image of what you will absolutely look like)

Q: How long will the procedure take and what kind of anesthesia will they use?

A: The procedure time ranges from 1-3 hours, most take about 2-21/2 hours.  Local IV sedation is what the doctor prefers.  You will definitely be “asleep”, but IV sedation puts a lot less stress on your body than general anesthesia.

Q: What is the recovery time and will I have black eyes?

A: Generally, I would suggest you clear your schedule for a good week.  The first couple of days you will want to mostly sleep and take it easy.  The amount of bruising you have will depend on what exactly your surgery included and how well you follow your post surgery instructions.  Some people will have more bruising than others because they had more work done than others. (Usually associated with bone work)  Dr. Schoenfeld can give you a pretty good idea of what to expect after he has had the opportunity to examine you.  We also have some products that you can use prior to surgery to help minimize the amount of bruising. FYI-everyone has swelling.

Q: Where will the surgery take place?

A: Dr. Schoenfeld mainly operates at the River Road Surgery Center, his out patient surgery facility.  It is conveniently located near Renu Med Spa at the intersection of River Rd. and Westbard.  The Washington Post did a great story on it…check it out on our media page!

Hopefully this has helped you know how to get started and what to expect form a rhinoplasty.  There are obviously a lot more details to cover but these are the basics.  Dr. Schoenfeld or his surgical coordinator will be on hand throughout the process to make sure every last detail is covered.

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I seem to focus on the Isolaz for pain free hair removal and Botox and Juvederm for rejuvenating your face, but I spend little time discussing the treatment of acne.  I think this is for 2 reasons:

1. I personally want to laser off the hair on my entire body (well not everywhere) and I   LOVE the immediate results you can achieve from a simple shot of Botox or Juvederm.
2. Until recently I didn’t realize how many people suffer from acne and how few treatments there are out there that really work.

With this in mind I want to briefly discuss our new laser, the Isolaz and the treatment of acne.  The official tag line is “Deep Pore Purification.”  The new technology in the Isolaz is FDA approved for the treatment of acne and is very similar to our Aesthera PPx Light based treatment which was featured on Fox News.  Since we received our Isolaz in July we have easily tripled the number of acne patients we treat each day.  The results are fantastic and it is extremely rewarding to see the change in just a few treatments.  The changes are not just in appearance but also in our client’s confidence and self esteem.  Not only does the Isolaz work, but our clients like it so much they are recommending it to their friends.  That is always the best compliment we can receive!

If you want to know more just give us a call.  You can also watch the Fox News clip on our web site.  It was a piece that ran nationally and even internationally.  We got calls from as far away as Hong Kong.  The clip shows exactly how the laser works and Dr. Philip Schoenfeld discusses a few other treatments out there that don’t work and explains why the laser is so effective for treating acne.

Each facial treatment takes about 45 minutes and a back takes about 75 minutes.  What the Isolaz doesn’t do it treat old acne scars.  For that Dr. Schoenfeld has a different laser or he can also use a dermal filler such as Restylane or Juvederm to fill in scars.  If you have other complications from acne give us a call and we will be happy to discuss it with you.

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I guess the buzz for this month is going to be putting the knife at bay for now by using fillers to fix facial inconsistencies and fight the signs of aging.  When I wrote my last piece on the Liquid Facelift, I didn’t realize that there would be so many other inquiries into this procedure?  Not only are our clients asking for this service, but the media is also becoming aware of this technique.  Specializing in facial plastic surgery,  Dr. Schoenfeld has been doing it for quite sometime with fantastic results. Not everyone wants or has the time for surgery.  I recently saw a patient of his have Radiesse injected to smooth out the profile of her nose, and have Juvederm injected into her lips just to give them a little fullness.  She had her 10th year class reunion coming up and although the signs of aging were not what she was trying to reverse, she did want to secretly look better …and quickly.

Some people think that fillers are only for aging skin, but they are also used extremely successfully in the younger population.  I was reading a magazine while waiting for my appointment at the Erwin Gomez Salon in Georgetown and I saw a before and after photo of the latest starlet to take advantage of this technique.  The results were very subtle but she definitely looked better.  She actually had a very similar nose to mine and it got me thinking… watch for my potential before and after coming soon!

The bottom line is, the results can be as dramatic as you want them.  Dr. Schoenfeld specializes in providing a very natural look.  You can be assured that weather you choose to have just a little enhancement with Botox or Juvederm, decided to really take care of all your facial wrinkles and hollowness, or totally go for it with a surgical procedure such as a rhinoplasty, facelift or brow lift, you will love your natural and refreshed look!

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I was asked today if we perform the “Liquid Face Lift?”  The answer is yes…and no.  A liquid face lift refers to a procedure that consists of a series of injections to relax fine lines and wrinkles, fill in deep lines and hollowness, and give your face an over all more youthful appearance.

We do offer this service, but not by name, and the patients who choose it have been extremely pleased with the outcome.  Dr. Schoenfeld uses Botox to relax the muscles (wrinkles) in the forehead, smooth smile lines and give heavy brows and subtle lift.  He then uses various fillers such as Juvederm, Restylane, or Radiesse to plump lips, fill in the lines around the mouth area and if necessary fill the hollow under the eyes or build up the cheek bone area.  The results are fantastic and can make a dramatic improvement in overall appearance….but it is not a face lift nor does it replace having a face lift.  The only way to truly achieve the results of a face lift is to have the surgery. The non surgical techniques are getting more and more sophisticated and Dr. Schoenfeld is an expert with Juvederm and Radiesse, but it does have it’s limitations.  If you are trying to decide which is right for you, simply call us and we will schedule you a consultation.

Nothing compares to the long term out come of a face lift or even a mini lift, but if you are not ready for surgery and want to go back to work the next day you might want to consider using fillers and Botox for an immediate improvement in your appearance.  It’s fast, easy, and relatively painless.

…and don’t forget about your skin!  I hate it when I see someone who had a beautiful face lift but with the same old skin!  All you have to do is get a photo facial with the new Isolaz or have a series of Microdermabrasions or chemical peels. Please….don’t forget about your skin.  Even if you are only having Botox!

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The Isolaz is a new laser that was just released over the summer.  It uses the latest in photo pneumatic technology, similar to the PPX, but is stronger, slightly faster, can be used on a wider variety of skin tones, and is still PAIN FREE! The most popular uses are for hair removal, acne, removing brown and red spots, and skin rejuvenation(photo facials).

We got more calls this week for the Isolaz than we did in the entire month of August!  What’s different…?  The Isolaz has received a lot of positive press in the national fashion magazines as well as trade journals this month.  The main reason why is that it really is breakthrough technology for treating a wide variety of skin issues. The best media mention was probably in the September Vogue.  Washington Life also did a short write up this month about “Skin Care of the Future” now available with the Isolaz at Renu Med Spa.  We were honored to be recognized for offering this new technology to our clients.  Who says you have to go to NY to find the latest advances in medical aesthetics?

Q: How long are the treatments?

A: Treatment time depends on which service you are having.  Hair removal of the bikini and underarm takes about 20 minutes and requires around 6 treatments.  (and no messy numbing creams are needed!)  Acne treatment for your face takes about 40 minutes and depending on the severity of the acne, 4-5 treatments are usually recommended. (slightly longer for a full back)  Rejuvenation, fine lines and sun damage, depends on the amount of damage and can be treated in 2-5 sessions.  All services are offered a la carte or in packages.

Q: How do I know if the Isolaz is right for me?

A: Diagnosing skin related issues over the phone or internet is virtually impossible.  My recommendation is to schedule a consult with one of our skin care specialists and allow time for a treatment as well.  Your confidence in our service is extremely important to us so we are happy to allow extra time on your first visit to ask questions and have a full skin analysis.  This allows us to customize a treatment plan unique to your individual skin care needs.  We also offer SilkPeel Microdermabrasion and a variety of chemical peels if the laser isn’t right for you.

Q: How much is this going to cost me?

A: Our services are available in single sessions and packages.  (There is usually a significant savings if you purchase a package.)  We offer a wide variety of treatments, so please give us a call if you have a specific one in mind and we are happy to discuss our menu prices. 301-652-7368

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I had a rhinoplasty many years ago [in New York] that left me disfigured. It was horrifying to look in the mirror after an elective operation, hating what I saw, realizing I made a terrible, irreversible decision for vanity. My original nose may have been a bit too large, but the surgeon made my nose too small and with an odd angle that sapped the character from my face. Structurally, the first surgeon also damaged my nasal valves and tip, and failed to correct my deviated septum. More recently I found myself having trouble supporting glasses.

I had seen several surgeons who had either said my problems were unfixable or who otherwise advised against operating. I despaired for a long time but fortunately I saw Dr. Schoenfeld’s name listed in the Washingtonian magazine as one of Washington, DC’s top surgeons and made an appointment. From the first visit onward, Dr. Schoenfeld was compassionate and respectful. It was such a relief to find at last a surgeon who not only saw the problems I saw in the mirror — and those not visible — but also who said he could fix them.

Given the trauma of my first surgical experience, I was terrified before my revision rhinoplasty and septoplasty but Dr. Schoenfeld made himself available by both email and phone, and was very accepting of my questions and concerns. At no point did he pressure me to have surgery. His staff was also very supportive and attentive. Still I was, frankly, doubtful whether Dr. Schoenfeld, or any surgeon, for that matter could make the incredible revisions he proposed, and that I would be satisfied.

Fortunately the operation was a complete success. I was able to breathe better within five minutes of waking up from the operation and my nose has been miraculously reshaped so that it better suits the contours of my face. And fortunately my insurance covered the functional portions of the operation.

It is four weeks post-surgery and recovery, although slow, continues apace. The character has been restored to my face and I no longer look in the mirror forlorn. Sometimes I even giggle. I am amazed that anyone could possibly do what Dr. Schoenfeld had done merely by manipulating and rearranging septal tissue. I am so grateful to Dr. Schoenfeld for having healed me both physically and aesthetically.

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The biggest age give away next to your face is definitely your hands.  They are also the #1 over looked body part in anti-aging aesthetics.  Most women are aware of the risks of sun damage and use a daily sunscreen on their face and maybe even their neck and decollette, but very few actually apply sunscreen to their hands unless they are at the beach or pool.  Men are even worse!

If you haven’t noticed what an age giveaway hands can be, start looking around.  The next time you go to shake someone’s hand look and see if their hands match their age?  Your hands can age you by easily 10 years!  Trust me, mine were among the worst we have seen.  Years of abuse left my hands dry, dehydrated, and full of brown sun spots.  I won’t even discuss the amount of premature wrinkling…

The good news is that this is all easily treatable.
The best way to start down the road of repair is a combination of laser treatments (IPL, we use the new Isolaz) and chemical peels.  Both are painless and the results are fantastic.  You can either treat only your hands or a more economical solution is to add a hand treatment to any other facial service you maybe getting. Maintenance  and prevention are also important in achieving a more youthful look. A good rule of thumb is what ever you put on our face, also put on your hands. The Vitamin C you may be using on your face to repair UV damage, or the Hyaloronic acid that hydrates and plumps up your skin will have the same great benefits on your hands. The added expense will definitely be worth it and the next time you go to shake someone’s hand you can smile because your hands won’t give away your secret.

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I received 2 calls from clients this week who were ready to come in for Botox but said they don’t want to become “Botox Junkies!”

The first client was concerned that she finds herself coming in every 3 months and was wondering if that is too often?  I felt this was worth writing about because I frequently get asked “How often will I need to get Botox?”  The answer like most answers to cosmetic questions is that it depends on the individual.  Some of our clients get Botox every 6 months and some come in after 3 months.  The average for most people is about 4 months.  In most cases if someone comes back after 3 months it is because they like the results so much that they want to add an additional area. (Relax their forehead wrinkles or crow’s feet, etc)  As it turns out this particular client liked her results so much that after a year of being conservative she wants to target more areas.

The second client was a referral and has never had Botox, but after seeing the results on other people feels it will be a quick and non-invasive way to give him a more youthful and less severe appearance with out surgery.  His big concern was that he doesn’t want “Joan River’s Syndrome.”  I have also heard this from other new clients, but never from our repeat clients.  First of all, Dr. Schoenfeld is a facial plastic surgeon and he is great with Botox and facial fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane.  He didn’t just learn how to inject them at a weekend course.  He specializes in facial aesthetics and knows how to get the best results from each individual based on their unique facial muscles and bone structure.  Second of all Joan Rivers wants to look like that……really!  I had the fortune of attending a luncheon with her last year and she made several jokes regarding her use of Botox.  She referenced the fact that her NY physician won’t tell anyone that she treats Joan because she doesn’t want to scare away her other patients.  She also joked about her numerous surgeries and is well aware of her extreme appearance.

The bottom line is that Botox is not addictive and the results depend on the individual and most importantly on who administers it.  When you leave Renu you won’t look like Joan River’s and you won’t become a Botox junkie, although if you give it a try you will probably become a Botox fan!

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