Q&A with Santa Clarita Plastic Surgeon Dr. Howard Hu

 Looking and feeling your best is a trend we have seen stand the test of time, and maybe that is why it’s not really a trend anymore.  Today we have many opportunities to improve ourselves.  Dr. Hu and the staff at Valencia Plastic Surgery take great pride in recommending the right products and procedures for each client, based on a detailed consultation.  Dr. Hu has started his private practice in 2005, and he has been serving our community ever since.  I was very excited for the opportunity to speak with Dr. Howard Hu about his practice as well as the rising trends in Plastic Surgery.
1. What trends are you seeing in your practice within the last year?
Cosmetic surgery overall has been increasing in popularity.  More patients are coming in for all types of procedures, both surgical and non-surgical.  The greatest area of growth has been in the non-surgical field as technology continues to improve.
2. Are there any new techniques, procedures or products that you have added to the practice?
We have the latest generation CoolSculpt, which is the fat-freezing technology to remove fat.  The latest machine is quicker, offers less downtime, and is more comfortable for the patient during the procedure.
We are also performing microneedling in conjunction with PRP treatments.  This involves using the patient’s own plasma to provide growth factors to promote collagen ingrowth for smoother, younger looking skin, as well as hair restoration.
3. What is on the forefront for plastic and reconstructive surgery?
The current line of breast implants are the newest generation which have only been widely available in the last few years.  The newer silicone implants are constructed better, have a more solid, firmer silicone core, which allows for more natural looking and feeling implant.  They also do not leak like the old implants do.  Puncturing a hole into one of the news silicone implants is like putting a hole into a gummy bear, i.e. there is no real damage done.
What great news!  It seems as if looking and feeling great is as simple as calling Dr. Hu at Valencia Plastic Surgery.  One of quickest growing non-surgical cosmetic procedures is liposuction that is no longer performed in the operating room.  Liposuction has long been hailed as an ideal way to reduce fatty deposits in certain areas of the body. SmartLipo® is an advanced procedure that results in fewer side effects while remaining minimally invasive. It involves the use of laser beams to help break up fat cells and make them easier to remove.  Another major benefit of SmartLipo® is that it does not require any anesthesia, and therefore patients tend to recover faster.
Laser skin resurfacing has long been a mainstay of aesthetic practices.  The ICON laser used at Valencia Plastic Surgery treats a wide range of skin types to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, stretch marks, scarring, and photo damage. It also performs hair removal and skin rejuvenation.  SmartSkin® is an ablative carbon-dioxide laser that is very effective for skin rejuvenation and enhancement.  Botox® and Dysport® are both FDA-approved injectables that help to smooth lines and wrinkles on your face to diminish signs of aging.  Juvéderm®, Voluma®, Restylane®, Sculptra®, and Radiesse® are just some of the many fillers available that help by adding volume to obtain a more youthful appearance. These procedures take less than 30 minutes to administer, do not require any incisions, and have minimal downtime.
Valencia Plastic Surgery is located at 26357 McBean Parkway, Suite 215 in Valencia.  You can call the office to schedule a consultation at 661-222-1122 as well as visit them online at http://www.valenciasurgery.com/.