Effects of Enlarged Breasts in Adolescent Males

Gynecomastia is the medical term for enlarged male breast tissue. Often occurring during puberty, it is said that 69% of adolescent boys are affected by this condition at some point during their lives, and it can continue into adulthood.

A recent study* found that compared to boys unaffected by this condition, boys of the same age suffering from any degree of gynecomastia had a higher instance of:

·         Negative self-esteem

·         Poor social functioning

·         Decreased mental health

·         Eating disorders

·         Obesity

Depression, anxiety and embarrassment may also be present in boys with large breasts. Boys who are overweight may be able to tackle this condition head-on by simply losing weight; however, true glandular enlargement or excess breast skin may require early surgical treatment.

Unfortunately, gynecomastia is not viewed by some insurance plans as a necessary medical procedure, but rather a “cosmetic” one which means the surgery may not be covered by insurance. If you have a loved one who is suffering mental pain from gynecomastia, the results of a successful breast reduction procedure may outweigh any out-of-pocket costs that are incurred.

Gynecomastia cases must be analyzed on a case-by-case basis. To learn more about the process, contact 77 Plastic Surgery today at 415-655-7546 or 77plasticsurgery.com.

*The study was reported in the April issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

The Dangers of High SPF Sunscreens

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), consumers should be wary of sunscreens boasting a super high sun protection factor (SPF). SPF shows how much the sunscreen will protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. For example, an SPF of 50 would theoretically allow a person to remain in the sun 50 times longer before getting burnt by the sun.

The EWG reports the problem to be that “people trust these products too much.” The protection difference between a 50 SPF and a 100 SPF is minor – you will get virtually the same amount of protection from both SPF values. People using the higher SPF products often get a false sense of security and end up applying less product and staying out in the sun longer than they should.

Most SPF products only block ultraviolet B (UVB) rays and are not aimed to protect from ultraviolet A (UVA) rays. The UVA rays penetrate the skin deeper and are harder to block. Higher SPF products do not typically provide UVA protection.

Skin cancer is on the rise so it is absolutely necessary to wear sunscreen every day to protect your skin. Aside from skin cancer, overexposure to the sun can cause premature aging in the form of facial wrinkles/lines, skin discoloration and more.

If your skin is showing signs of sun damage, there are ways to combat the damage and rejuvenate your skin. Non-surgical treatments such as laser skin treatments, chemical peels, BOTOX, injectable dermal fillers are offered by cosmetic surgeon Dr. Fan at 77 Plastic Surgery in San Fransisco. A Cosmetic Consultation can help you determine which treatment can revitalize your skin and make you look younger. Contact 77 Plastic Surgery today at 77plasticsurgery.com or 415-655-7546.

To learn more about the sunscreen brands that EWG considers the best, click here.  

Why Before-and-After Photos Are Important

Cosmetic surgery is truly an art form. When you make the decision to change or enhance your physical appearance through facial aesthetics or body sculpting, you are placing a great deal of trust in your surgeon’s aesthetic sensibilities. When researching cosmetic surgeons, ask to see the “before-and-after portfolio” of past patients to give you an understanding of the results the surgeon has achieved.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Of course, you may not share the same physical characteristics of many of the patient photos you view either online or in the office. No two patients will be treated exactly the same way, which is what makes plastic surgery so interesting and rewarding for surgeons.

What the “before-and-after” photos will reveal is how the surgeon was able to transform patients and whether or not the results are both natural and aesthetically pleasing.

“Before-and-After” Photo Questions

Ask the surgeon these questions in regard to “before-and-after” photos:

• Are you seeing actual photos of real patients, without touch-ups?
• Are there more photos to view than what is on the website?
• When were the photos taken?
• Is the procedure still regularly performed today?
• Were the same technologies/techniques used in the photos as what will be performed in your procedure?
• Do you have photos of people who have similar physical characteristics? 

Dr. Fan at 77 Plastic Surgery has a great deal of patient “before-and-after” photos at his San Fransisco location. To view some of these photos, visit 77plasticsurgery.com or call 415-655-7546 to schedule a Cosmetic Consultation to see them in person and determine if you are a good candidate for a cosmetic procedure.

More Reasons to Stop Smoking

Just about everyone knows that smoking can lead to cancer, emphysema and heart disease. But there are a slew of other negative side effects of smoking that may surprise you.

Smoking prevents oxygen and nutrients from reaching the skin and deeper tissues because it restricts blood vessels. Smoking also reduces the production of collagen and elastin, which are the fibers that make your skin strong and tight.

Side Effects of Smoking

• Facial wrinkles
• Loose, sagging skin
• Pale, uneven skin tone
• Pronounced lines around the mouth
• Slower wound healing times
• Longer-lasting bruises
• Increased infection risks
• Breakdown of tissue
• Bad breath
• Yellow, damaged teeth
• Stained fingers
• Hair loss
• Cataracts
• Psoriasis
• Loss of bone density
• Fertility problems
• Reduced athleticism

If you are considering having a cosmetic procedure, it is usually required that you stay away from any product that contains nicotine (including patches, gum, e-cigarettes, etc.) for at least two weeks before and after your procedure. But traces of nicotine can remain in the body for years after a person has stopped smoking, and it can still negatively affect healing from any type of elective or medically-necessary surgical procedure.

Respect your body. If you are a smoker, take action to restore your health. And if you want to rejuvenate your appearance after smoking and erase some of the physical damage you’ve done to your skin, contact Dr. Fan at 77 Plastic Surgery to schedule a Cosmetic Consultation in San Fransisco. Contact us today at 415-655-7546 or 77plasticsurgery.com.

Happy 4th of July!

Have a safe and fun 4th of July from 77 Plastic Surgery!