Latest news with #Ghiyam
Los Angeles Times
27-05-2025
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
The Surprising Truth Behind Viral Beauty Requests
Cosmetic procedure conversations in 2025 haven't started in the doctor's office; they've started on TikTok, where viral beauty trends like snatched jawlines and Barbie noses are shaping real-world aesthetic goals. The new normal for cosmetic consults includes phrases like 'snatched jaw,' 'Barbie nose,' and 'fox eyes.' These hyper-specific, influencer-inspired requests are showing up in med spas across Los Angeles and far beyond, as patients bring screenshots, filter selfies, and social media references straight to their providers. The shift isn't just in demand, it's in desire. Social media isn't only shaping what people want done. It's influencing how they think they should look. The rise of 'Instagram face' and TikTok aesthetics has elevated cosmetic language into a kind of visual shorthand. A few years ago, patients might ask to look 'refreshed.' Today? They want angles. Precision. Influence. 'With the rise of Instagram and TikTok aesthetics,' Dr. Ghiyam, MD, of Simi Doctor's Aesthetics, says they are seeing more patients reference specific 'looks'. 'Whether it's a 'snatched jawline,' a 'Barbie nose,' or even more subtle features they've seen online,' Dr. Ghiyam says. 'As a physician, I always welcome those conversations, because it gives me insight into what a patient is really after, not just physically, but emotionally.' That emotional nuance matters. While some seek dramatic changes, many are chasing an ideal they've internalized after hours online. Constant exposure to curated, filtered imagery has real effects. A study published in the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery found that social media significantly impacts how people perceive their appearance and their desire for aesthetic intervention, particularly among younger users. Not all trending treatments are about angles. A growing number of patients are opting for skin-enhancing, rather than structure-altering, options. Injectable moisturizers are on the rise, offering a way to replicate that dewy, soft-focus finish without touching bone structure. These microdroplet injections improve skin texture and radiance, tapping into a subtler aesthetic ethos: more glow, less geometry. This shift shows that not every aesthetic request is about dramatic transformation; sometimes it's just about matching real life to what's been seen through a filter. Still, there's a downside to the social media aesthetic: the growing sameness of cosmetic goals. What was once about enhancement is increasingly about conformity. 'Trends come and go,' Dr. Ghiyam notes. 'My job is to help patients filter what's momentarily popular through the lens of what will look natural, harmonious, and sustainable on their unique face or body.' That's a gentle way of saying: just because it's trending doesn't mean it fits you. As more patients pursue similar procedures (whether it's jawline contouring or non-surgical rhinoplasty), the risk of facial homogenization grows. 'I'm never chasing hype,' Ghiyam adds. 'I'm honoring proportion and function.' The best providers aren't trend-chasers. They're translators, taking what patients think they want and distilling it into something timeless, healthy, and true to their anatomy.'We can absolutely use advanced treatments to contour, define, or enhance,' Dr. Ghiyam says. 'But I always guide the patient back in balance. A snatched jaw or lifted cheek only works if it enhances their essence, not erases it.' That approach isn't just about outcomes, it's about ethics. As aesthetic medicine becomes more popular, the need for thoughtful, medically sound guidance becomes more urgent. Patients may arrive wanting a filter in real life. But it's the provider's job to ask: Why? And what's sustainable? 'That's how I protect both their outcome and my medical integrity,' Ghiyam says. The beauty industry is evolving in real time. And while social media may be driving new expectations, it's also sparking a deeper conversation about self-image, influence, and authenticity. At its best, cosmetic treatment should reflect the person, not the platform. And in the hands of an ethical provider, a 'snatched jawline' or 'Barbie nose' isn't about chasing a trend. It's about enhancing what's already there, and knowing when to say no. Click here to learn more about Simi Doctor's Aesthetics.
Los Angeles Times
22-05-2025
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
Laser Hair Restoration Without Surgery Is Reshaping the Future of Hair Regrowth
If you've ever searched 'laser hair restoration near me,' expecting a lineup of red light helmets and basic scalp treatments, you're behind on what's become the next wave in non-surgical hair regrowth. The latest evolution? A treatment that doesn't use lasers at all. Instead, it relies on ultrasound-based sound waves to enhance scalp health and deliver targeted growth factors, no needles, no downtime, and surprisingly, no light. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) once dominated the non-surgical hair restoration space. While it still has benefits, newer technologies are changing the game entirely. TED (or TransEpidermal Energy Delivery) is a completely noninvasive process designed to support hair regrowth. It works by channeling essential nutrients to the hair follicles using energy pulses delivered through ultrasound-based sound waves. These pulses temporarily open tiny microchannels in the scalp, allowing a proprietary growth serum to reach the base of the hair follicle where it can be most effective. 'TED represents a major breakthrough in regenerative aesthetics. It gives both men and women a way to meaningfully restore hair without surgery, pain, or needles. The results speak for themselves,' says Dr. Ghiyam, MD, at SimiDoctors and an expert in noninvasive hair restoration treatments. Red light therapy still has a place in the hair restoration conversation, but it's often slow and limited in scope. Clinical data from Alma Lasers shows that 98% of patients who tried this newer treatment reported reduced shedding within just two weeks of their first session. Hair density increased by an average of 40% after three sessions. The treatment also includes a nutrient-rich serum formulated with bioactive ingredients (peptides, growth factors, and amino acids) known to nourish follicles and improve overall scalp health. For years, a receding hairline meant either accepting change or opting for a transplant. Now, there's another choice. 'TED is highly effective for both men and women experiencing early-to-moderate hair thinning or excessive shedding,' says Dr. Ghiyam. 'It is particularly valuable for women, who often aren't ideal candidates for surgical hair transplantation and are left with fewer options.' Hair transplants often range from $20,000 to $30,000 and come with recovery time, visible scabbing, and a wait of up to a year for results. PRP therapy, while less invasive, involves blood draws and dozens of injections across multiple visits. By contrast, the cost for this ultrasound-based approach is $1,200 per session or $2,900 for a package of three. Maintenance sessions are usually only needed every 6 to 9 months. 'With TED, most patients begin seeing results within weeks, and there's no downtime or post-treatment pain,' notes Dr. Ghiyam. Not all laser (or laser-adjacent) treatments are created equal. Ultrasound-assisted delivery systems allow for deeper penetration of active ingredients into the scalp, helping to support hair regrowth at the follicular level. Clinical studies show improved texture, density, and fullness in patients who complete the initial three-session protocol. The treatment also improves overall scalp health, targeting inflammation and oxidative stress while supporting follicles that may have gone dormant due to stress or hormone imbalance. Read the full white paper. 'TED is an excellent option for anyone in the early stages of hair thinning or dealing with excessive shedding,' Dr. Ghiyam says. It's non-hormonal, drug-free, and entirely comfortable. For women, especially those with diffuse thinning or limited surgical options, this approach can offer real hope. Patients who've undergone hair transplants can also benefit. 'Starting TED one month after transplant has led to stronger survival rates and healthier growth of implanted follicles, outperforming the standard PRP regimen used by most transplant surgeons,' adds Dr. Ghiyam. While this treatment supports new hair growth, long-term success often depends on treating the root cause of hair loss, whether that's stress, shifting hormones, or elevated DHT. 'If the original issue hasn't been addressed, hair loss can resume over time,' says Dr. Ghiyam. 'That's why we develop a personalized plan, which may include hormonal support or DHT blockers, to maintain progress and prevent regression.' For anyone frustrated with thinning hair or shedding that won't quit, this may be the gentler, smarter solution worth exploring. Click here to learn more about SimiDoctors
