Orlando Beauty 2017 Issue

The Patient Experience BEAUTY THROUGH THE AGES | TRENDING NOW | MASCULINE APPEAL | REAL TALK Published by the office of Clifford P. Clark III, M.D., P.A.

ISSUE 4 | SUMMER 2017

2 | ORLANDO BEAUTY

The OAI Difference

A Dedicated Team When it comes to the patient experience, Dr. Clifford Clark and Orlando Aesthetic Institute offer the “total package” – clinical expertise, top-notch, patient-centered care and a spa-like ambiance.

T

he patient experience at Orlando Aesthetic Institute and Dr. Clark’s office is unlike any other – and that’s (precisely) by design. From the moment patients enter the office, they are immersed in a welcoming, spa-like atmosphere designed to put them at ease. Sophisticated décor and lighting, plush seating and complimentary bottled water are just a few special touches that make visitors feel like they’re in the home of a stylish friend rather than a doctor’s office.

“We pride ourselves on paying attention to every detail, not only in our procedures, but throughout the entire journey,” says Dr. Clark. “Each person should feel like they are our only concern in the world, and that perception starts from day one.”

The office environment is just the beginning. What truly distinguishes Dr. Clark’s practice are the people on his staff. Every team member takes pride in excellent service, from friendly receptionists, to knowledgeable RNs and LPNs and aestheticians, to Dr. Clark himself.

Three patient care coordinators help to facilitate a seamless entrance into the practice, similar to concierges at an upscale hotel. Cori Graves, LPN, Lorra Hargis and Jessica Boe assist patients every step of the way and maintain open lines of communication with the medical staff.

“No question or concern is too big or small,” says Cori. “Whether it’s a longtime patient seeking Dr. Clark’s guidance, or someone who’s having their first cosmetic procedure and wants a little extra support, every interaction is tailored to that patient’s needs and goals.”

Customized Treatments The process of cosmetic enhancement should be individualized, not one-sizefits-all. With that in mind, Dr. Clark offers a comprehensive menu for both surgical and non-surgical procedures. Through collaborative dialogue, patients can learn about the latest available technology, the step-by-step process for each procedure, and what are realistic expectations for their individual concerns.

“During the consultation, we’re going to have a thoughtful discussion about elements that detract from someone’s beauty and possible solutions for those issues,” Dr. Clark explains. “Often, we can find a treatment that is more elegant and less invasive than a patient might expect.”

Regardless of the procedures they choose, every patient is treated with the utmost privacy, discretion and sensitivity.

Not every cosmetic surgery experience is created equal. At Orlando Aesthetic Institute, the differences are apparent in every aspect of the patient experience – from state-of-the-art facilities, to the team’s medical credentials, to the reputation of Dr. Clifford Clark.

Designed to provide patients with a personalized, seamless and discreet surgery experience, OAI features two operating rooms, two private recovery suites for overnight stays and a separate entrance for enhanced privacy. The goal is safety, convenience and comfort – whether patients are getting a lunch-hour facial treatment or recovering from surgery.

OAI utilizes board-certified anesthesiologists from the JLR Group at Florida Hospital. All anesthesiologists at OAI have demonstrated outstanding ability in plastic surgery anesthesia. Adding to the practice’s medical expertise are RNs who are closely involved in patient care.

What to Consider Before Cosmetic Surgery Surgery can be life-changing, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating. Many people are surprised to discover that procedures are less invasive than ever – and innovations in the field have yielded a range of options at various price points.

Dr. Clark guides patients through the often-complex process of deciding which procedures are right for them. With more than two decades of experience, Dr. Clark has performed thousands of procedures and continues to set the bar for plastic surgery excellence in Central Florida.

For patients evaluating their options, Dr. Clark recommends beginning with a consultation, then starting with a small procedure such as a facial. “Some people have an aesthetic goal in mind, but they need a little while to feel comfortable with cosmetic procedures,” says Dr. Clark.

“Wherever you are in the process, our goal is to support you and help you achieve your desired outcome.”

ORLANDO BEAUTY | 3

Through the Ages 4 | ORLANDO BEAUTY

M

aintaining or restoring a beautiful appearance is an ongoing process – but the good news is, there’s a procedure for every stage of life. “Similar to planning your finances or getting checkups with your primary care doctor, it’s critical to have a ‘beauty game plan’ that includes proactive maintenance,” says Dr. Clark.

“We’re here to help patients create a plan that is appropriate for every age and individualized to their needs.”

VAL UE VS. PRICE

BEFORE

AFTER

A Strategic Approach Different bodies change at different rates, so someone’s age doesn’t always yield the entire picture. “Age is just a number, and we consider many other factors unique to each body,” Dr. Clark says.

However, some general age-related guidelines apply. “At different times, different problems predominate,” Dr. Clark explains. “Staying in the ‘beauty zone’ results from making different decisions over time to seamlessly transition from one season of life to the next. Early on, we’re trying to be more preventative, addressing smaller or more subtle issues. Later on, we’re addressing larger concerns to keep a face looking elegant and timeless.”

Procedures for Every Age For those in their 20s, a solid skincare regimen, sunscreen usage and regular visits to an aesthetician are often sufficient.

In the 30s, the focus shifts toward softening lines in the face, often using Retin-Abased products.

“Around this time, the aging process is going deeper beneath the surface of the skin, and we begin to address the underlying muscles,” Dr. Clark explains.

“Sometimes people have very dynamic muscles that are starting to cause significant lines, and Botox might be helpful.”

As women grow their families in their 20s, 30s and 40s, “mommy makeovers” can lift sagging breasts and remove excess fat and skin in the tummy.

In the 40s, patients often begin to lose volume in their faces. Injectable fillers can restore fullness and create a more vibrant appearance. Those in their 50s and older commonly experience laxity and sagging skin, so surgeries, such as facelifts, are a more viable option.

“These solutions are all cumulative,” Dr. Clark says. “When you’re in your 40s and using fillers, you should still use sunscreen.

Treating these issues in tandem can yield a more youthful look – and the sooner you start, the better.”

Natural Elegance Prior to the initial consultation, Dr. Clark asks patients to bring in a photo that reflects their “best look.” That becomes the artistic goal for the patient, he says.

“We strive for absolute natural elegance and radiance, while making sure you always look like yourself.”

Price shopping is an effective way to purchase a set of tires, but cosmetic enhancements require more nuance.

“Beauty is not a commodity, and the process of achieving it should reflect that,” Dr. Clark says. “We compete on value, not price. We emphasize safety, integrity and consistency.”

Patient well-being is always top of mind for Dr. Clark. “We don’t cut corners with anesthesia, we operate in a state-of-the-art facility, and we are careful and precise in our techniques,” he says. “This approach leads to consistently good outcomes.”

Dr. Clark notes that price shopping often doesn’t yield an apples-to-apples comparison, and cheapest doesn’t translate to best value. Sometimes, a lower price tag results in a less safe environment and a less qualified surgeon.

One way Dr. Clark demonstrates value to his patients is through honesty. “We steer patients away from procedures they don’t truly need,” he says. “A commitment to integrity fosters a long, trusting relationship.”

R E TURN OF TH E FAC E L IFT Facelifts are getting, well… a facelift, thanks to recent surgical innovations. “These procedures used to involve pulling the skin upward, but now we reposition the skin and fat, rather than tightening the skin, to create a natural, elegant appearance,” Dr. Clark explains. “We’re moving the jowl fat up to the cheekbones, creating a clean jawline and adding volume back to deflated areas of the face.” Using precise, minimally invasive surgical techniques, Dr. Clark can achieve significant results that take years off a patient’s face.

“We’ve seen a quiet evolution in surgical techniques over the past 10 years, which has changed perceptions about facelifts,” Dr. Clark explains. “There was a time when patients thought they could avoid facelifts with a laser or facial fillers, and they now understand there’s a time and place for both approaches.”

As procedures have improved over time, people have learned to expect a more natural look. “When they see their friends’ results, they’re surprised at how ‘un-operated’ they appear,” Dr. Clark says. “As a result, many people who would never have considered a facelift are changing their minds.”

BEFORE

AFTER ORLANDO BEAUTY | 5

TRENDING

in the World of Beauty

6 | ORLANDO BEAUTY

BOTTOMS UP: NEW TECHNIQUES TO ENHANCE CURVES For patients who want to enhance their bottoms while slimming down in other areas, fat transfer can be a promising option. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, augmenting the derrière through fat transfer is one of the fastest-growing forms of cosmetic surgery – thanks in part to celebrities who have brought a rounder-bottomed look into the mainstream.

“We have a new understanding of aesthetics for this area of the body,” Dr. Clark says. “There’s a range of different shapes, sizes and aging of the buttocks. Recent advancements allow us to thoughtfully address each patient’s goals – whether it’s restoring fullness, creating a more athletic form, or improving the transition from thighs to bottom.”

For many patients, the solution is to use liposuction to gently remove excess fat from the belly, hips or thighs. Then, Dr. Clark reinjects those fat cells into the buttocks to enhance volume and create a more balanced, youthful appearance. “Paying attention to the underlying anatomy and precise placement of the fat helps us form an elegantly contoured shape,” Dr. Clark says. “The procedure is a safe and effective alternative to implants, using a patient’s own cells.”

A HANDS-ON APPROACH TO BEAUTY When it comes to hands, what’s old is new again. “Procedures to beautify the hands have been around a long time, but they’ve become popular recently because people are paying more attention to their hands,” says Dr. Clark.

While often overlooked in the realm of beauty, hands can carry telltale signs of aging and sun damage. “We tell patients, don’t treat your face and neglect your hands,” Dr. Clark says. “They are a very visible part of our appearance.”

The primary aging problems with hands are skin tone and volume underneath the skin. To address brown spots, flaky areas and other symptoms, the options are the same as those for facial skin: peels, lasers and topical treatments. For restoring volume, Dr. Clark often recommends an injectable calcium hydroxylapatite filler, such as Radiesse.® “Resurfacing the skin and using a filler can provide a smoother, fuller appearance for an area of your body that deserves a little attention,” says Dr. Clark. “You might say it goes ‘hand in hand’ with other beauty enhancements.”

BEFORE

AFTER

RESTORING A YOUTHFUL FACE Micro-needling is also growing in popularity, and for good reason. This procedure resurfaces and rejuvenates the skin, counteracting decades of damage with minimal downtime.

“Years of exposure to UV rays can wreak havoc on the face, but we can reverse some of that damage with micro-needling,” says Dr. Clark. “We can also alleviate the uneven texture caused by acne scars, reduce pore size and minimize fine lines.”

Because the skin cannot spontaneously improve its color and texture, micro-needling induces production of new collagen and elastic fibers by using needles to produce tiny channels in the skin. In response, the body regenerates cells to produce new, healthy skin.

Typically, patients undergo six sessions of less than 30 minutes each. A topical anesthetic cream reduces any discomfort, followed by application of a hyaluron gel – a natural constituent of the skin. Then the needling device glides over the skin to form the micro-channels.

Micro-needling is a fractionated procedure, meaning recovery is brief.

“It’s an excellent, affordable choice for busy patients who don’t have time for more invasive procedures such as chemical peels or lasers,” says Dr. Clark. “The techniques and devices become more refined each year, and the result is a more youthful glow.”

ORLANDO BEAUTY | 7

MASCULINE FROM SEEKING A “SIX-PACK” TO CORRECTING DROOPY EYELIDS, MORE

T

he desire to look your best isn’t exclusive to women. That’s increasingly true in the past five years, as male cosmetic surgery has soared nationwide, according to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

The numbers continue to rise locally.

“Every year, we’re seeing more men of all ages in the office,” Dr. Clark says.

“They used to hesitate to discuss their bodies and how they were aging, but now they’re talking about it with their wives or girlfriends. Gender is no longer a dividing line in the world of cosmetic procedures.

Men are part of the game!”

the techniques and surgical devices are different. Men have a more square appearance to the back and waistline, along with more densely fibrous fatty areas, particularly in the love handles.

Since men often seek a “six pack” look for their abs, it’s important to understand the anatomy below the skin and adjust the surgical approach accordingly.

Creating a Trim Physique Many of Dr. Clark’s male patients want to build a trim physique, but struggle to eliminate flabby areas despite diet and exercise.

“We see a lot of men who are physically fit but want more muscle definition,” says Dr. Clark. “Liposuction is one of our most common procedures for men, because it’s a fast, effective way to sculpt the abdomen, waist, hips, butt, thighs, upper arms, chin, cheeks and neck.”

Liposuction gently removes stubborn fatty deposits underneath the skin to provide a lean, athletic body, with long-lasting results.

Although the technology used in liposuction is the same for male and female patients,

BEFORE

AFTER

A Balanced, Rejuvenated Face Men can take advantage of a range of procedures to create a younger, more masculine face and neck.

During midlife, drooping eyelids can make people seem older than they really are. With age, eyelids stretch and the muscles supporting them begin to weaken, which allows excess fat to accumulate

above and below the eye. Blepharoplasties, or eyelid lifts, are an effective solution.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the rate of men undergoing blepharoplasty increased by 34% between 2010 and 2015.

This outpatient procedure lasts about one hour and involves cutting the fold of the eyelid to remove excess skin, muscle and fat, then closing the incision, leaving a small, well-hidden scar.

Some men in their 40s and 50s opt for neck-lift procedures to reduce fat and loose skin below the jawline. A range of procedures are available – from minimally invasive VASERlipo® fat removal to more comprehensive neck lifts that tighten skin and muscle. These procedures help tighten the deeper layer of muscles and remove excess skin, creating a smoother, more chiseled neckline. Many patients have the neck lift performed with the facelift in order to achieve a more youthful appearance.

For older men, facelifts can create a dramatically younger look. Here again, Dr. Clark tailors his approach accordingly.

“There’s absolutely a male aesthetic,” he says. “Brows are flatter and lower, jaws are more square, noses are fuller, and hair and beard lines are different. Our goal is to enhance a man’s masculinity and make him the best version of himself.”

A Date with Benefits More and more couples are choosing to bond in a new way – by getting cosmetic procedures together. “Many patients and their significant others have similar goals and are used to making joint decisions, and improving their appearance is no different,” says Dr. Clark. “Taking this journey together can be an enriching experience that helps keep the spark alive.”

Couples often discuss their aesthetic concerns together with Dr. Clark during the initial consultation. From there, they usually stagger their procedures so one can care for the other during recovery. Other times, a woman has surgery first, and her husband is so impressed with the results that he follows suit. “Seeing a partner go through the process successfully can help the other person get acclimated to the idea and feel more confident about trying it,” says Dr. Clark. “Couples want to look good not only for themselves, but also for each other.”

8 | ORLANDO BEAUTY

APPEAL

AND MORE MEN ARE TURNING TO COSMETIC SURGERY.

ORLANDO BEAUTY | 9

Real Talk from Real Patients

Natural Results

‘‘

I was a sun worshipper for a long time, so Dr. Clark

and his team had a lot to work with. He was very honest about the outcome I could expect. I’m ecstatic with the results! My skin is more beautiful than ever, and my face looks natural, not overdone. I go back to Dr. Clark regularly, and I can’t say

‘‘

enough positive things about his team. Every member of his staff is professional, articulate and knowledgeable about their procedures. I’ll never go to anyone else!

An Artist with Vision

‘‘

When you come into the office, you feel calmness about the whole

thing. Dr. Clark and his staff spend time talking with you before your procedure and your care afterward, so you know what to expect. They answer all your questions and never make you feel rushed. What makes me feel even more confident is that Dr. Clark is a man of integrity. He’ll listen to your requests, and he’ll suggest alternatives if he thinks what you want to do is a mistake. He’s an artist with a lot of vision. He can look at someone’s face

‘‘

or neck and see what would help them the most. I go in twice a year and ask his advice about what I need done to look my best, and he’s always right!

I’ve been coming here for 10 years, and I’ll never leave.

– Linda Califf

10 | ORLANDO BEAUTY

– Kim Lanier

introducing

Dr. Jared Troy

D

r. Clark and OAI are proud to welcome plastic surgeon Dr. Jared Troy to the practice, further enhancing the team’s breadth of medical expertise.

Dr. Troy is a board-eligible plastic surgeon and graduate of the University of South Florida Integrated Plastic Surgery residency, where he completed his training in aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery.

He trained with Dr. Clark, who is an assistant clinical professor at USF, during his third and fifth years of residency – forging the relationship that led him to Winter Park.

Throughout Dr. Troy’s training, he has exemplified clinical excellence in patient care, personal integrity, and education. In 2011, he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, an honor given to medical students at the top of their class. In 2013, he was elected by his peers to become a member of the Arnold P. Gold Humanism Honor Society and received the Outstanding Resident Role Model award.

He is passionate about continuous improvement and honing his skills by staying current on the latest literature and procedures. In addition to research and publications in breast, burn, and facial trauma, he also collaborated with Dr. Clark on a soon-to-be-published chapter on male rhinoplasty.

Dr. Troy received his Doctorate of Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in his hometown, Houston, Texas, where he graduated at the top of his class. Prior to medical school, he was a successful analytical chemist.

“Jared is an outstanding surgeon – hard-working, ethical, smart and highly skilled,” says Dr. Clark. “We are thrilled to welcome him to our team and know he will be a tremendous asset to our patients.”

Dr. Troy adds, “When I started my plastic surgery rotation in medical school, I realized there was no turning back. The breadth and depth of the field, our ability to improve people’s lives, and the chance to be on the cutting edge of technology are just a few reasons I am so passionate to be a cosmetic surgeon.”

Dr. Troy looks forward to helping patients navigate the range of options for aesthetic enhancement alongside Dr. Clark and his staff.

“Dr. Clark is an inspirational role model, and I feel very fortunate to have found him as a mentor and a friend. We have very similar approaches and a shared goal of caring for patients and doing exceptional surgery.”

ASK THE DOCTOR

“Jared is hard-working, ethical, smart and highly skilled.”

D

r. Clark and Dr. Troy take pride in being accessible to their patients – and now you can tap into their expertise… virtually!

Submit your questions to practicemanager@dr-clark.com or on the practice’s social channels, and keep an eye out for their responses.

Questions may be edited for length and clarity. And remember to check out Dr. Clark’s blog, Facebook and Instagram feeds for the latest news and promotions.

BLOG: dr-clark.com/blog FACEBOOK: facebook.com/orlandoaestheticinstitute INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/OrlandoBeauty

ORLANDO BEAUTY | 11

Clifford P. Clark III, M.D., P.A. 701 West Morse Blvd.

Winter Park, FL 32789 Phone: 407.629.5555

W E R E V E A L T H E BEA UT Y I N

EVERY B ODY

Call today to schedule your complimentary consultation

407.770.2002