Society of Plastic Surgical Skin Care Specialists (SPSSCS)

FDA Extends Sunscreen Labeling Deadline; AAD Understands

The American Academy of Dermatology Association (Academy) understands the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) decision to extend the compliance dates six months for the sunscreen labeling and testing requirements in the interest of protecting public health.

Research has shown that broad-spectrum protection in sunscreen helps reduce the risk of skin cancer and is essential to protecting the public from UV radiation. Extending the compliance date allows manufacturers the necessary time to test their products for broad-spectrum protection and properly label them. The Academy joins the FDA in encouraging manufacturers to bring products into compliance as soon as possible in order to help the public make informed choices regarding the most effective sunscreens for prevention of sunburn and skin cancer.

Until sunscreens meet the FDA’s new labeling and testing requirements, the Academy recommends that the public take these steps to protect themselves from the sun:

Read the label on your sunscreen. Use only sunscreen that tells you it offers:

• Broad-spectrum coverage (label may say “broad spectrum,” “protects against UVA/UVB” or “UVA/UVB protection”).
• SPF 30 or higher.
• Water resistance.
• Re-apply the sunscreen every two hours when outdoors.
• Seek shade whenever you are taller than your shadow.
• Wear protective clothing, which includes long sleeves, pants, wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.

Wow what a turn out, thank you all for coming out and sharing your time with us at our Spring Soiree Open House this past Friday.  Each of you made it such a great success. We will be notifying the winners soon regarding their prizes from the raffle!

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at Dr. Richard Zeff’s. We hope you have a wonderful day!

As a plastic surgery patient, what better way to share your satisfaction with Mentor Breast Implants than by telling friends about your experience? The Mentor Refer A Friend Program rewards you for telling your friends about your breast augmentation experience.  You can receive a $50.00 American Express Gift Card for each friend who has breast augmentation surgery with Mentor Breast Implants.  It’s simple! Call us today to  learn more. 603-775-7444

Give your mom something she will really love on Mother’s Day! SkinMedica’s luxurious TNS Eye Repair. This rich cream is a multi-tasker – just like mom! It firms the skin, improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and minimizes dark circles.  She’ll love it!

We are hosting an Open House Event at our office on Friday, May 11th from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. There will be food, wine, tours, live demonstrations, and special offers on products and services. Dr. Zeff will be doing complimentary mini-consultations (must be present to reserve spot – limited to 8 spaces). You don’t want to miss out on the launch of SkinMedica Procedure Enhancement System or Clarisonic Mia and Mia2!

Plastic Surgeon in New Hampshire on ASAPS Breast Augmentation Stats

At his New Hampshire plastic surgery practice, Dr. Richard Zeff says breast augmentation is the most popular surgical procedure he performs, a statistic reflected by the most recent statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). The ASAPS reports cosmetic surgical procedures increased by almost 9% during the past year to a total of 1.6 million procedures performed. There were a total of 318,123 breast augmentation procedures performed in 2010 according to the latest study, a number that Dr. Zeff believes will continue to rise as approval of cosmetic enhancement also increases.

According to the latest study released by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), breast augmentation was the most popular cosmetic surgical procedure in the past year, with 318,123 performed during 2010. Board-certified New Hampshire plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Zeff says he has seen similar results at his practice. The ASAPS study also shows that cosmetic surgical procedures rose by 9%, with almost 1.6 million total. Dr. Zeff says this growth indicates a greater trend of increased approval and awareness of cosmetic plastic surgery in the US.

Dr. Zeff says the popularity of breast augmentation is likely a result of the innovations in surgical techniques and breast implant options over the past few years. As advances in both silicone and saline implants and incision size have continued to develop, he says even more patients are seeking quality, natural results that breast augmentation can now offer. “New, more durable implants and the results of extensive research have given patients a greater comfort level. Implants have become more widely accepted. There is less paranoia about safety and less concern with what other people think. Even the mammography departments consider it routine.”

Whether patients are considering breast augmentation or another procedure, such as breast lift surgery, Dr. Zeff says the increase in popularity of the procedure will continue to foster research and technological advances in surgical techniques. At his practice, Dr. Zeff says keeping up-to-date with the latest advancements in breast surgery can ensure that surgeons are achieving the highest quality results and furthering developments in safety and efficiency.

About Richard L. Zeff, M.D. P.A.

Dr. Richard Zeff graduated from Tufts University and received his medical degree from the University of Miami. He completed his residency in general surgery in Des Moines, Iowa and his plastic surgery training at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago, IL. Dr. Zeff is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the New Hampshire Medical Society, and the New England Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.

Located at 137 Portsmouth Avenue in Stratham, NH, Dr. Zeff’s practice can be contacted at (603) 684-2339 and also online via the website drrichardzeff.com or facebook.com/drzeff.

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New Hampshire Plastic Surgeon Dr. Zeff Discusses ASAPS Stats

The most recent statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) show the three most performed cosmetic plastic surgery procedures in 2010 were breast augmentation, liposuction, and blepharoplasty. At his New Hampshire plastic surgery practice, Dr. Richard Zeff adds tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty to this list of most popular procedures for his patients.

In a year that saw a 9% increase in the overall number of cosmetic surgery procedures performed, the latest report from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) lists breast augmentation, liposuction, and blepharoplasty as the three most common procedures in 2010. As Dr. Richard Zeff returns from the annual ASAPS meeting in Boston, he discusses the increase in cosmetic enhancement procedures, and the correlation between national statistics and the number of procedures he performs as a board-certified plastic surgeon in New Hampshire.

The total number of procedures performed in 2010 totaled more than 9.3 million, which Dr. Zeff says should come as no surprise considering the fact that over half of all Americans now approve of cosmetic surgery. After attending the annual ASAPS meeting, he adds that he expects this approval rating to continue to increase, as new procedures are developed to meet the growing demand.

Since 1997, the number of cosmetic procedures performed has increased more than 155%, due mainly to the surge in popularity of nonsurgical cosmetic procedures. However, Dr. Zeff points out that in the last year nonsurgical procedures performed declined, while surgical procedures such as liposuction and breast augmentation continued to increase at a steady rate. Regardless of the rate at which the plastic surgery industry expands, he says the dedication to patient safety and technological innovation highlighted at this year’s ASAPS conference should continue to support this type of steady growth and overall approval of cosmetic plastic surgery.

About Richard Zeff, MD

Dr. Richard Zeff earned his medical degree from the University of Miami. He then completed his general surgery residency in Des Moines, IA after completing his surgical internship at New York University Bellevue Hospital, followed by a plastic surgery residency at Loyola University Medical Center. Dr. Zeff is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and the New Hampshire Medical Society.

Dr. Zeff’s Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery practice is located at 137 Portsmouth Ave. in Stratham, NH 03885, and can be reached at (603) 684-2339 as well as online online at drzeff.com or the Plastic Surgery New Hampshire – Dr. Richard Zeff Facebook page.

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Q: I want to rejuvenate my face and look less tired. How can I tell if injectable fillers will help me or if I need to undergo a full facelift?

In the last few years the public has been inundated with miraculous solutions to help ward off the aging process. This is rapidly growing industry and as such can be confusing and even sometimes deceptive. Injectables? BOTOX®? Facelift? Minifacelift? Short Scar Facelift? It’s pretty overwhelming. It would take hours and an extensive consultation with a plastic surgeon to sort this all out and identify what’s really best for you. But, let’s try to give you a head start.

• BOTOX® paralyzes (temporarily) only those muscles which have been identified as causing undesirable wrinkles. It can make lines softer or disappear completely if they aren’t too deep.
• Injectables can be one of a number of different substances, but they are all used to fill in lines, hollows, creases or other deficiencies. They can also be used to augment or sculpt areas of the face such as the lips, cheeks or cheekbones. This can restore a youthful fullness of the face and sometimes offer a subtle lift of surrounding tissues.

Choosing between injectables and surgery can be a daunting task, but the differences are straightforward. Surgery (facelift etc.) is more expensive (in the short term) but will provide a more lasting effect. It also provides a substantial tightening of the jawline and neck that injectables cannot provide. There is also recovery which can require up to two weeks. Injectables, on the other hand, provide very little actual tightening of sagging skin and may need to be repeated annually or sometimes even more often. They can, however, offer specific wrinkle correction or volume replacement with virtually no down time and at less expense.

That’s the “keep it simple” answer. Visit your plastic surgeon for the details and for what really meets your needs.

Well, my staff, my daughter and I have have just returned from Haiti, and we have all been moved beyond words. The medical/surgical aspect of the trip was rewarding.  By closing limb threatening wounds, we have certainly touched many individuals and hopefully changed their lives a little, but the close-up view of Port au Prince has had a far more profound effect on me.  Our daily commute to and from the hospital was a full 2-3 hours which I spent in the bed of a pickup getting a truly panoramic feel (and smell) of the city and culture. I appreciate so much more now that the needs of this entire culture are monumental.  I spent hours struggling with how to help these people in a more lasting way than simply patching the residual physical wounds of the earthquake.  I  realized that no form of aid can provide a lasting benefit until the Haitian people know how to use it. Education is the clear and obvious solution.  As a surgeon, I have always been victim of the immediate gratification syndrome, so it took a great deal of processing to realize that changing Haiti will take years, probably generations to achieve.  Clearly, the only hope is to educate the future teachers, politicians, etc who can eventually make a difference.  Through their school, my children have been involved with Life and Hope Haiti ( www.lifeandhopehaiti.org), an organization which will undoubtedly make a difference over time.  My family and I hope to continue our efforts to make a difference.  We’re sponsoring a child and hope to visit as family again this year. – Dr. Richard Zeff

Below we have posted a sampling of photos from the trip.  To view more, we invite you to visit our practice Facebook page.