Dr. Anthony Youn Answers Your Plastic Surgery & Skincare Questions | AMA 4

Key Advice and Life Philosophy

• 🔑 A crucial piece of advice from a mentor is: "You never regret plastic surgery you don't do." This emphasizes caution and avoiding unnecessary procedures.
• 💡 Another guiding principle adopted over the last five years is: "If it's not a hell yes, it's a no." This helps manage opportunities and commitments, especially with the high volume of requests received.

Under Eye Bags and Skincare Treatments

• 💧 True under-eye bags are caused by protruding fat, and creams cannot eliminate them; blepharoplasty is the only surgical solution.
• ✨ For fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, a retinol eye cream can be beneficial, but it won't address actual fat bags.
• 🧬 Salmon DNA products, also known as Rejuran, contain polynucleotides that can stimulate collagen production and are popular in South Korea, though not yet FDA-approved for injection in the US.
• 🩸 PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) injections for under-eye hollowing are discussed, with skepticism about their effectiveness as a filler compared to hyaluronic acid injections.

Melasma and Scarring

• ☀️ Melasma is challenging to treat; diligent sunscreen use (SPF 50-60) is paramount, along with prescription-strength hydroquinone or oral tranexamic acid.
• 🩹 For scar healing, occlusive therapy with Steri-Strips initially, followed by silicone therapy (cream or sheeting), is recommended.
• 💊 While supplements can aid overall healing, there's no strong data showing they directly help with scarring itself.

Cosmetic Procedures and Safety

• 🚫 Rib removal surgery for waist narrowing is strongly advised against due to the risk of damaging vital organs like the spleen and liver.
• 🧊 Sculptra and CoolSculpting are discussed for stubborn fat removal, with Sculptra favored due to its ability to treat multiple areas and avoid the rare but serious side effect of paradoxical adipose hyperplasia seen with CoolSculpting.
• 💉 Botox for TMJ or migraines should be sought through a neurologist for potential insurance coverage.
• 📈 Stretch marks are difficult to treat; tummy tucks are the most effective for removal, while fractional lasers and microneedling offer modest improvements.
• ⚠️ Breast augmentation is a serious surgery with potential complications, including lung puncture, breast implant illness, and capsular contracture; it requires careful consideration and is not a "throw-in" procedure.
• 🍑 Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is highlighted as a procedure with a significant risk of death due to fat embolism if fat is injected into the gluteal muscles; ultrasound guidance is increasingly recommended for safety.

Collagen and Anesthesia

• ✨ Hydrolyzed collagen powders have been scientifically confirmed to increase collagen in the skin, improve hydration, and skin thickness, benefiting skin, hair, and nails.
• 🩺 CRNAs are often used for anesthesia in plastic surgery in the US because they are cheaper than MD anesthesiologists, though safety is generally comparable in states where CRNAs can practice independently.

Personal Reflections and Book Promotion

• 📖 The speaker shares a harrowing patient experience involving dysmorphic disorder and attempted extortion, detailed in his memoir "Playing God."
• 📚 His memoirs, "Playing God" and "In Stitches," are recommended for readers interested in his surgical experiences and insights.
• 🙏 The episode concludes with a request for listeners to leave ratings and reviews on iTunes or Spotify to help spread the word.