Written by Gayle Theodora Drake
Society’s perception of beauty has transformed over time and will continue to do so based largely on the fashion trends. There are people that stereotype the residents of Los Angeles to be obsessed with beauty and unapologetic about their vanity. Stereotyping is something we are all guilty of from time to time and there may be a bit of truth in that prejudice, but I believe you should do whatever makes you feel happy, beautiful and self-confident. This freedom to take charge of your image is an essential component of overall self-care. There are certain things like a good daily skin care regimen, working out or eating a balanced diet, that will not ultimately address our image concerns. This is when consulting a plastic surgeon who is an expert in his or her field can achieve the desired look you want!
I have recommended the following leaders in the industry to my family, friends and clients, not only because of my own experience in their expert hands, but also because they all believe in taking a holistic approach to one’s look. For instance, they believe as I do that taking care of your skin is a crucial first step before seeking out plastic surgery. I have used many of their products and swear by them as well.
Dr. Raj Kanodia
MD, FACS
Dr. Kanodia is a leading Board Certified Surgeon specializing in and is sought out by patients around the world for Closed Scarless Rhinoplasty and Facial Rejuvenation. His artistic ability to enhance facial harmony and preserve youthful contours has earned him respect from his colleagues and trust from Hollywood’s most famous faces, performing artists, models, politicians, executives, and royalty.
Dr. Kanodia is widely acknowledged as the world’s foremost expert in rhinoplasty having performed over 9,000 surgeries with over 30 years of experience. Performing exclusively closed (scarless) rhinoplasty, he is able to refine the nose without changing its character.
Dr. Kanodia has published numerous medical articles and is a regular lecturer at international medical conferences. He continues to mentor and teach his unique approach to “Closed Finesse Endonasal Rhinoplasty” and facial rejuvenation to surgical residents, fellows and colleagues across the world at his medical facility in Beverly Hills.
Blending his knowledge of Ayurvedic herbs and anti-aging compounds from his native India with advanced western dermatologic research, Dr. Kanodia has formulated the now 24 year old natural wellness care line “Ayur-Medic.” His newest product line in the fight against aging, “Dr.Kanodia’s AMLA,” stems from the Indian fruit Amla, known in Ayurveda as an “elixir of life.”
Extracts of this fruit are used topically and orally in Dr. Kanodia’s line, advancing the concept of beauty inside and out. This line has become a celebrity favorite with stars such as Britney Spears and Kim Kardashian West lauding its effects.
GTD Asks: What do you think the trends are in the plastic surgery/med spa industry?
A: The trends are to avoid the aggressively performed surgical appearance and incorporate more natural enhancements, fewer face lifts and more emphasis in facial rejuvenation with well executed Botox and artistic approach to fillers to highlight the vectors. Lasers (Clear + Brilliant, Matrix, Fractora, Exilis, etc.) are a very important adjunct to polish and tighten the skin.
I have also created the most powerful and potent antioxidant formula with my knowledge of ayurveda. Pure, holistic extract of Amla, Turmeric, Indian Madder, Moringa is a superb formula, that every human being should take every day for beauty, longevity, wellness, and health.
To learn more, visit www.drkanodia.com or call (310) 276-3106.
Dr. Gregory Mueller
MD, FACS
Dr. Gregory Mueller’s office is located in Beverly Hills and attracts patients from around the world along with a number of Hollywood A-Listers who seek his skills and expertise as both a surgeon and an artist. They have entrusted their care to him, and he is affectionately known as “Hollywood’s Beverly Hills’ Plastic Surgeon”. In a city where plastic surgery is extremely popular, his client list includes some of the most accomplished individuals in the industry, both in front of and behind the camera. Dr. Mueller’s pioneering approach along with the most advanced technology available, allows him to deliver natural non-surgical and surgical results to his patients. This helps him to remain under the radar with his commitment to keep Hollywood’s surgery secrets, a secret!
Following graduation from medical school, Dr. Mueller was accepted at the University of California-Irvine where he completed a General Surgery Residency. He then completed his Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Residency at the University of Southern California and established his practice in Beverly Hills in 1998 where he remains today.
His passions for plastic surgery and drive to improve the specialty have established him as a leader among his colleagues. Dr. Mueller is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He attends and speaks at many professional meetings around the world, and is an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Dr. Mueller has also appeared on television programs such as The Doctors, Entertainment Tonight, Hollywood Extra, Discovery, and other media.
Dr. Mueller holds numerous patents on his technologies including both oVio360™ and the ICLED™ Surgical Suture System. oVio360™ captures 360 degree dynamic video images of both the physical shape and physiological function of the human face and body. ICLED™ Surgical Suture System utilizes LED light guidance feedback to allow surgeons to perform procedures such as face lifts, neck lifts, and brow lifts through small punctures as opposed to large incisions.
Dr. Mueller’s number one priority and passion is taking care of his patients. His mission and promise is to always offer the most advanced and proven solutions to help each individual look and feel their absolute best. Dr. Mueller’s practice is unique, as the demographics consist of an equal amount of women and men. In addition to surgery which is his true love, Dr. Mueller offers the latest minimally invasive and non-invasive technologies.
GTD Asks: What do you think the trends are in the plastic surgery/med spa industry?
A: In 2020 I expect an enormous emphasis on jawlines, and believe that filler for a redefined and more structured jawline will be the most popular procedure of the year. I utilize Ellevate™, a newly launched procedure, in all minimally invasive procedures, and it also does a tremendous job at contouring my patients within full face lifts and neck lifts. Without Ellevate™, I wouldn’t be able to shape and redefine the back region of jawline so beautifully.
Another trend I see taking off are chin fillers and chin implants to help balance a restored side profile. Recently, men have been seeking facial fillers to accomplish symmetry and masculinity within facial metrics. We are seeing more and more patients wanting a sculpted and stronger jaw and neck line across all demographics. I accomplish this desired result with a combination of facial fillers, specifically with Juvederm Voluma XC, Ellevate™, and FaceTite by InMode Aesthetics.
The third trend I see continuing to gain popularity in 2020 is non-invasive to minimally-invasive body contouring. Many skin tightening, muscle enhancing mechanisms, and temperature-based fat reduction technologies are continuing to become more available and more popular. Non-invasive options to medical providers are increasing. We use VanquishME to reduce and eliminate stubborn fat cells permanently with absolutely zero contact, zero downtime, and zero pain. It’s amazing because this process allows the body to naturally expel the newly dead fat cells over a 6 to 10 week period, and unlike liposuction there is again no downtime and no pain. The most popular areas for treatment across VanquishME and Exilis Ultra are the midsection, flanks, lower back, buttocks, and inner/outer thighs. One of our most popular treatments is the device Exilis Ultra. Exilis is a hyper-focused and powerful skin tightening device that delivers beautiful lifting, tightening, and contouring to all body parts that are commonly unachievable in the gym.
To learn more, visit www.drgregmueller.com or call (310) 273-9800.
Shonda Chase
Co-Owner of Revive Wellness Centers, FNP
Ms. Shonda Chase is nationally recognized as one of the best providers in the field of aesthetic medicine. She has been trained by some of the greatest medical trainers in the world including a leading Botox and Dermal filler injection physician, Dr. Mark Bailey. Ms. Chase uses her expertise and teaches advanced injection techniques to physicians and their nursing staff. Ms. Chase has been an aesthetic injector since 2004 and has safely treated over 18,000 patients. She opened the first Revive Wellness Center in 2008.
Ms. Chase is also involved in medical device and product studies for FDA approval. She was one of the lead medical providers to study the secret radio frequency device for skin and scar rejuvenation at her Revive Wellness Centers in Torrance and Palm Springs, California. Ms. Chase has successfully treated hundreds of patients with this incredible medical device.
In 2015, Ms. Chase began working with Dr. Wu, and the team from Venus Concepts Corporation to help to create the Fiori medical device for womens’ rejuvenation.
Fiori’s treatments can greatly improve the quality of life for women suffering from pre and post-menopausal conditions, atrophy, urinary incontinence, or sexual difficulty issues.
In 2017 Dr. Wu and Ms. Chase began working with a company to investigate the effectiveness of a unique and drug free, suppository that naturally activates and assists women’s rejuvenation capacities. Dr. Wu received FDA committee approval to study the effects of this compound for women’s rejuvenation.
Recently, Ms. Chase and Dr. Wu completed a FDA study for an indication and approval of the Juliet Rejuvenation Laser for mild urinary incontinence. Ms. Chase performed over 150 Juliet treatments for the study making her one of the most experienced providers in the country for the widest variety of approaches to women’s rejuvenation treatments.
To learn more, visit www.revivecenter.com or call (310) 375-7599 / (760) 325-4800.
Dr. Allan Y. Wu
MD, FAACS, FACS Cosmetic Surgeon
Dr. Allan Wu is an expert in facial, breast and abdominal cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries. He also performs smart liposuction procedures allowing patients to go back to work in just a few days instead of the 2-3 weeks usually required by the regular approach to liposuction treatments.
Dr. Wu pioneered a new surgical technique in 2017 to develop scarless and natural curve labiaplasties. Utilizing local anesthesia, his new procedure reduces recovery time from 8-12 weeks down to just 2-3 weeks. He is now training GYN and Plastic Surgeons in his approach to a procedure that greatly improves the quality of life for a large percentage of women of all age groups.
Dr. Allan Wu is a double board diplomate in General and Facial Cosmetic Surgery and a board-certified GYN surgeon. Dr. Wu specializes in natural mommy makeovers with reduced down time and virtually scarless breast augmentation. He is also the first surgeon to develop and publish a safe and effective method for tummy tucks following gastric band weight loss patients.
Dr. Wu was the lead clinician in the development of LipoGems with the FDA. LipoGems is a stem-cell/fat transfer medical device approved by the FDA in 2016. This innovation provides a natural, yet viable, alternative to implants. Dr. Wu trains physicians from across the country on how to perform LipoGems fat transfers and, of course provides LipoGems to patients at Revive Wellness Centers.
From 2016-19 Dr. Wu designed and supervised three research and development projects for FDA approval for women’s rejuvenation. These natural treatment programs provide safe and effective alternatives to estrogen-based therapies for women. All of these new approaches to women’s health have no discomfort or downtime with noticeable and significant results, sometimes in as little as 7-10 days.
Dr. Wu has been featured on television shows such as the American Health Journal and 60 Minutes. He is an internationally recognized expert in the field of Cosmetic Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery being the featured speaker of several international conferences such as The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, The American Academy of Regenerative Practices and The International Stem Cell Society.
He also currently serves as Proctor, Examiner and Exam Writer for the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery with a personal focus on the ethical practices of Cosmetic Surgery.
To learn more, visit www.revivecenter.com or call (310) 375-7599.
