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We Investigate The Rise Of Medical-Grade Skincare

You’ve probably spotted some of these brands at your dermatologist’s clinic or have heard your favorite ‘skinfluencer’ talk about the power of a particular medical-grade skincare brand. They’ve been popular in the past with celebrities who could afford those steep price tags and purchased them on their trips abroad, but with the world now at our fingertips, these are finding a way into the skincare cabinets of anybody who cares enough for results and can, well, shell out the dinero. Call it science-backed, cosmeceuticals, or medical-grade, whatever the name, the fact remains that you can’t ignore this category in skincare anymore. We connected with a few experts to understand why it works, and generally, what the fuss is all about.

What is Medical-grade Skincare?

Dr. Karishma Kagodu, Plastic Surgeon, Founder, and Managing Director of Dr. Karishma’s Aesthetics (Kaesthetics) says, “Medical-grade skincare is skincare which contains higher concentrations of actives as compared to OTC skincare products. These products are backed by clinical studies, have gone through intense quality checks, and are approved by dermatologists after collection of data, trials, research, and studies.” She adds that medical-grade skincare is targeted to specific medical conditions and needs. “Because of their potent nature, these formulas deliver quicker and more impactful transformations and results. This type of skincare is meant to offer both medicinal and cosmetic benefits,” she says.
Dr. Meghna Gupta, Dermatologist, and Founder, of Delhi Skin Centre, says, “Simply put, OTC skincare is ‘over-the-counter’ which people choose for themselves and start using these, but medical-grade skincare is usually what your dermatologist decides for you. Products your dermatologist will help you with, keeping in mind your specific skin type and its concerns.”
But there’s ‘medical-grade skincare’, ‘clinically-proven’, and ‘dermatologist approved’ – do all of these mean the same thing? Dr Charlene DeHaven, Clinical Director, iS Clinical reveals, “Unfortunately, none of these terms has a standard or uniform definition. This leads to considerable confusion among consumers – and understandably so.”
For example, she points out, in the United States, none of these terms is recognized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and only the term ‘cosmetic’ grade is recognized. “The FDA considers cosmetic quality to be the same as food grade and it is up to the cosmetic manufacturer if they wish to use a higher grade of an ingredient than food grade. Pharmaceutical-grade ingredients are the highest grade possible. Most companies use cosmetic-grade ingredients because they are much less expensive,” she explains.
The consensus obviously, is that when it comes to a comparison between medical-grade skincare and OTC skincare, the quality of the former is far superior owing to the use of prescription-strength actives and the highest quality of ingredients present in these.

Rising Popularity of Medical-Grade Skincare

Medical-grade skincare isn’t a new phenomenon, it’s been around for years. Why then is it becoming coveted today, with a clear and visible shift where many skincare enthusiasts now prefer medical-grade skincare over OTC? “Consumers are looking for excellent results in their skincare products and those containing superior ingredients will give much better results,” says Dr Charlene. To this, Dr Meghna adds that the shift is because of the awareness and importance of skin care that has been generated.
When it comes to preferred medical-grade brands, Dr Karishma shares, “We generally prescribe brands such as Cetaphil, Sebamed, Bioderma, Zein Obagi, Dermaceutic, Sesderma, etc. For products containing retinol, retinoids, vitamin C, and anti-acne gels, we prefer to use medical-grade skincare brands.”

The Question of Authenticity & Regulations

Dr. Charlene makes a point when she says that there is no assurance of purity or effectiveness when buying cosmetic-grade or OTC products. “In contrast, pharmaceutical-grade ingredients come with a Certificate of Analysis that provides the results from a scientific instrument called a mass spectrometer. It is impossible to hide contents from mass spectrometer results and these show exactly what is contained within the substance tested – including impurities, toxins, fillers, or other undesirable substances.”
While the United States of America has FDA regulations in place when it comes to skincare, we wonder if there is a similar body that regulates and screens skincare products in India. Dr. Karishma enlightens, “The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the Cosmetics Rules, 2020 is the main regulatory authority for the skincare products in India. Many of them are backed by clinical studies and adhere to FDA regulations.”

Bang For Your Buck?

The world of cosmetology has evolved with procedures, when done with an expert and trained aesthetician, becoming safer and quicker. However, a few such invasive cosmetic procedure do may have a fair share of risks attached to them. Dr. Karishma mentions that a certain amount of swelling is expected after the surgery which subsides in a couple of days. She also adds that “Following the aftercare provided to you by your surgeon is an absolute must, especially if you want to heal without complications.”
The universe of plastic surgery, botox, and fillers is an intriguing one with a slippery slope. As much as we need to consider surgeries and procedures that are necessary for one’s body or subjectively, even self-esteem, it’s just as crucial to consider procedures that can do more collective harm than good.

There’s no denying they’re effective, but when we look at medical-grade skincare brands like Murad, ZO Skin Health, iS Clinical, Dr. Barbara Sturm, Dermalogica, and others, it’s clear that a lot of them tend to be heavy on the pocket. So, what justifies these steep price tags? “The best ingredients are 100 times or 1000 times more expensive than cosmetic-grade ingredients,” says Dr. Charlene.
Dr. Meghna too offers an explanation, “A lot of money goes into the research work, and the actives which are procured in their purest forms have the highest concentration, that’s why some of these international brands are expensive.” But she points out that there are a lot of Indian brands which are very economical.
Case in point: being a brand like Episoft, by Indian pharma company Glenmark, which is an oft-recommended brand by dermatologists, or Cetaphil by Galderma India which has its own fan following.

The Downside

While the upside of medical-grade skincare is a more scientific approach to product development with result-oriented products, the downside, Dr. Meghna says, could be if one doesn’t follow the usage as recommended or if you apply a larger amount than necessary. “Being quite potent, these could cause issues like rashes on the skin or result in very dry skin if wrongly used,” she explains. On the other hand, Dr. Karishma points out the price point and accessibility of these products as an issue.

And now with the problem of plenty, there’s also the decision to be made of which brand and product to choose from, or rather, which ones our dermatologists choose for us! “Whichever brand you opt for, and whether Indian or imported, medical-grade skincare is worth every penny,” signs off Dr. Karishma. Now we’re not arguing that!

Source – Elle

July 4, 2025
Buccal Fat Removal: Everything You Need To Know About This Trending Procedure

For far too long, our society has been perpetuating borderline dangerous trends. Whether the Kardashians are to be blamed for constantly promoting unrealistic beauty standards or online filters for distorting our faces to the point where we look unrecognizable— the damage has already been done.

Heroin chic has made a dreary comeback with sunken cheekbones and extra skinny waists, and we’re not okay with it. The combined consequences may have given birth to specific surgical procedures, buccal fat removal being one of them. The world’s obsession with model-like cheekbones that make for a ‘seemingly’ flawless selfie for the ‘gram flirts with danger.

You’ve heard about lip fillers, rhinoplasties, and facelifts, buccal fat removal is the new talk of the industry. Celebrities like Chrissie Teigen, Zoe Kravitz, and of course Kim Kardashian have gone under the knife to get a chiseled face. Sorry to break this to you, but those perfectly sculpted cheekbones aren’t a result of a well-done bronzer. While of course tweaking what is supposedly real, buccal fat removal differs in that unlike usual aesthetic surgeries such as fillers or botox, buccal fat removal is extremely difficult to reverse since it’s a surgical process.

When we age naturally, our facial structure tends to lose fat in specific areas, our cheeks being one of those. Opting to go under the knife for a procedure that surgically makes your cheeks appear gaunt and hollow can seem like you’re hitting the fast-forward button on ageing.

Here’s everything you need to know about the procedure if the current trends have convinced you to opt for it.

What Is Buccal Fat Removal?

Simply put, everybody has cheeks, some of us have a little more than others do. Buccal fat is present deep within, under the buccinator muscle. Specifically, the lower area of your cheekbones is where this fat is located. It fills the tissues present there and gives them a certain shape. However, the size of these buccal pads is subjective and differs according to the face shape of the individual. Now, all thanks to the defined cheekbones fad, everyone wants a jawline exactly like their favorite supermodels. It’s exactly what it sounds like, removal of the fat present in the area in order to make your cheekbones look as sculpted as ever.

What Is The Procedure Like?

Like most cosmetic procedures, buccal fat removal is an invasive method through which the buccal pads present inside your cheeks are removed. Dr. Karishma, founder and Managing Director of Dr Karishma’s Aesthetics says that “It’s a quick and comfortable procedure that requires a board-certified plastic surgeon.”
She goes on to explain that buccal fat removal starts with incisions being made on the insides of the cheeks for the fat pads to be removed. “These incisions are then stitched up with invisible sutures,” she says. According to the experts, it’s a simple and quick procedure that doesn’t take more than 45 minutes.

Who Is This Procedure For?

Buccal fat removal, owing to its specific target area, is a procedure that’s meant for individuals who experience fullness or excessive volume in their cheeks. Dr. Karishma further explains that “This procedure is well-suited only if your cheeks are puffy or rounded. Additionally, if you’re experiencing pseudo-herniation— which takes place when there’s a small, rounded fat mass present in your cheeks due to weak buccal pads, this surgery works effectively.”
This procedure isn’t meant for you if you’re blessed with defined cheekbones. When conducted on a slimmer face, it can make your facial structure seem hollow and lifeless, and no one wants to look like a corpse bride.

With Recovery, Are There Any Side Effects?

The world of cosmetology has evolved with procedures, when done with an expert and trained aesthetician, becoming safer and quicker. However, a few such invasive cosmetic procedure do may have a fair share of risks attached to them. Dr. Karishma mentions that a certain amount of swelling is expected after the surgery which subsides in a couple of days. She also adds that “Following the aftercare provided to you by your surgeon is an absolute must, especially if you want to heal without complications.”
The universe of plastic surgery, botox, and fillers is an intriguing one with a slippery slope. As much as we need to consider surgeries and procedures that are necessary for one’s body or subjectively, even self-esteem, it’s just as crucial to consider procedures that can do more collective harm than good.

July 4, 2025
Cosmetic vs. Medical Reasons for a Nose Job | Rhinoplasty Surgery
Did you know that every year countless nose job procedures are performed according to a statistical report stated by ASPS (American Society of Plastic surgeons)?

Did you know that rhinoplasty surgery has a pivotal role in addressing nasal defects and deformities from an accident or injury and also corrects breathing issues?

Did you know that when a nose job is performed to reshape the interior passageways of the nose and the exterior to help improve breathing, it is referred to as a functional rhinoplasty?

Did you know that a nose job surgery is designed to impact the nasal appearance and medical procedures to improve the function of the nose?

In India, Rhinoplasty surgery is one of the most requested procedures for both men and women, as the nose is the most protruding part of the face. And every year, a massive number of patients sought-after the nose job to achieve an aesthetic facial harmony that matches to their other facial features. In the USA, rhinoplasty is among the top five plastic surgery procedures plastic surgeons perform, as stated by the ISAPS. Since quality treatment at an affordable cost is available in India, especially in cities like Bangalore, Chennai, New Delhi, and Jaipur, the outstation patients take particular interest in joining medical tourism in India and avail the benefits of plastic surgery procedures.

Dr. Karishma Kagodu, MS, M CH., a board-certified plastic surgeon specially trained in rhinoplasty with the world-famous Dr. Nazim Cerkes at the Cosmed Clinic, Istanbul, in Turkey. Dr. Karishma says that a nose job is surgery of a millimetre, as even a millimetre difference can alter your overall appearance. However, extreme mastery is required to perform such sophisticated tasks. The success rate of rhinoplasty in India is about 98-99%, making the procedure a more prominent choice even for foreign clients/patients. And we primarily draw patients from Dubai, Turkey, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.

Common Medical Reasons for Rhinoplasty / Nose job:

If a rhinoplasty surgery is performed for medical reasons, such as birth defects, deformities caused by an injury, or correcting breathing, the insurance companies typically reimburse the cost of the procedure. However, it is necessary to talk to your insurance carrier and plastic surgeon before undergoing rhinoplasty for medical reasons to avail the benefits.
Deviated septum/ Chronic sinus problems: Deviated nasal septum can cause chronic sinus problems, including sinus congestion and nasal allergy. A deviated septum can present at birth as a birth defect (occurring during fetal development) or due to injury during childbirth. Deviated septum is a condition when the thin wall that separates your right and left nasal passages — is displaced to one side. The condition can cause breathing problems, snoring, congestion, difficulty breathing, infections, nosebleeds, or sleep apnea when left untreated. However, a nose job procedure is required to address these concerns.
Cleft Palate or Cleft Lip: This is another reason for rhinoplasty that occurs due to a birth defect. If left untreated, the condition can cause difficulty eating in children. It is a medical condition, but it can also affect facial harmony. However, a nose job is required to correct the condition, which also improves a person’s facial appearance.
Other medical conditions: Some of the other medical conditions that might necessitate rhinoplasty surgery include:
Injuries
Nasal inflammation caused by chronic allergies,
Burns,
Broken noses,
Deformities.

Cosmetic Reasons to undergo Rhinoplasty Surgery:

An ideal nose shape, size, and contour can help compliment your face or overall facial appearance. However, Rhinoplasty is for solely aesthetic reasons that can alter the shape, size, contour, proportion, and overall facial appearance by addressing appearance concerns and improving overall facial harmony. Sometimes, your plastic surgeon may combine a nose job with a chin implant to help balance out your facial features more aesthetically.

Rhinoplasty performed for cosmetic purposes do the following job:

Narrowing or widening the nostrils
Narrowing the nose bridge
Reshaping the nose tip
Straightening the crooked nose
Altering the angle between the upper lip and nose.
If you want to know more or looking for a nose job/ rhinoplasty surgery in Bangalore, get in touch with Dr. Karishma Kagodu, MS, M CH., at Dr. Karishma Aesthetics on +91 8042036382, +91 9108969006, +91 7624809006 and schedule your in-person consultation today.
July 4, 2025
How to fix Thinning Eyebrows with Hair Transplant Procedure in Bangalore
“An eyebrow hair transplant can permanently solve your thinning, sparse eyebrows improving noticeable signs of facial aging!”
Eyebrow thinning gets more prominent attention when it comes to noticeable signs of facial aging than wrinkles.
Sparse eyebrows are signs of a natural aging process that causes low self-esteem and self-confidence.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, resulting in hair loss, including eyebrows thinning.
Sometimes infections, skin conditions, hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, and emotional or physical trauma can also cause diminishing brows.
As we age, our body starts responding to the natural aging process, and symptoms like age spots, wrinkles, fine lines, sagging of facial skin, and hair loss become more prominent. Hair loss is an unavoidable part of aging, causing hair thinning on the scalp and eyebrows and requiring cosmetic attention. Besides the aging aspects thinning brows can also occur due to many factors, including autoimmune disorders, emotional stress, physical trauma, malnutrition, or hormonal imbalances. However, knowing your condition first is inevitable in planning your treatment plan, so consultation would be needed to evaluate your problem status and chalk out the treatment method.
Dr. Karishma Kagodu, MS, M CH., a globally recognized plastic surgeon and Managing Director of Dr. Karishma Aesthetics, Bangalore, noted that in her practice in Kinder women’s hospital, Whitefield, many patients feel conscious due to their sparse eyebrows. Moreover, most patients wanted to avoid wearing make-up, as a covered pencil look makes one’s face unnatural or fake. Therefore, eyebrow hair transplants are recommended to address the thinning eyebrows concerns and offer you the best unmatched, realistic results.

Dr. Karishma Kagodu shares some possible reasons for eyebrows hair thinning is jotted down below:

Aging: Both men and women start to experience aging signs in their 40s due to decreasing in the level of sex hormones, and so the dwindling of estrogen in women and testosterone in men become the responsible factor for hair thinning, including sparse brows.
Alopecia areata: Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles resulting in hair loss. Alopecia areata causes random spots of hair loss, and causing sparse brows to be more prominent requires eyebrow hair transplant.
Thyroid deficiency: Both overactive and underactive thyroid glands can disrupt a number of normal processes, including the hair growth cycle, so that hair loss can occur.
Pregnancy & childbirth: Pregnancy and childbirth can also take a toll on your hair growth, sending your hormone and other aspects of your body’s biochemistry into a tailspin. Thus, the hormonal fluctuations caused by motherhood can also be a reason for a disorganized hair growth cycle and cause hair loss.
Stress and anxiety: Ongoing stress and anxiety can cause physiological changes in your body, including reduced oxygen to hair follicles and hormonal fluctuations that result in eyebrow hair loss.

What is Eyebrow Hair Transplant?

Once you and your plastic surgeon determine the cause of your eyebrow thinning, the next would be chalking a treatment plan. Many options are available to address the issue of thinning eyebrows, including oral medications/ topical serums/ microblading/ eyebrow tattooing, but the hair transplant is the best, permanent option to regain lost brows hairs.
Eyebrow hair transplants are similar to scalp hair restoration but require higher expertise, precision, and aesthetic sense to meet the best natural results. The procedure of eyebrow hair restoration involves transferring hair follicles from the safe donor zone, i.e., the back and sides of the scalp; then, it is transplanted back to the recipient areas where hair loss is prominent. The motto behind using the rear end of the scalp as a donor zone is because of its DHT- resistant hair roots and thus don’t allow a miniaturization process or hair loss.
During the procedure, Dr. Karishma uses FUE (follicular unit extraction) method to extract individual hair follicles from the donor sites. The hair follicles extracted from the FUE method allows a plastic surgeon to collect the desired number, type, and quality of hair grafts to fulfill the restoration goal. Choosing the particular type of graft is inevitable in eyebrow hair transplant due to the different texture and quality of brows’ hair from the rest of the body. However, the brows transplant requires the utmost precision and expertise on the part of a plastic surgeon to achieve the best unmatched aesthetic results.

What are the Benefits of an Eyebrow Hair Transplant?

Eyebrow hair transplantation offers permanent, natural-looking results that won’t look fake or overdone.
It is a minimally invasive procedure; thus, one shouldn’t be bothered about scarring, downtime, or unwanted discomfort, and you can see the results in 2-3months.
Transplanted hair grows like regular hair but since the scalp hair growth is faster, you may need regular trimming of that hair. Also, the hair roots retain the DHT-resistivity even after being transplanted. It is a big plus to the hair restoration procedure, as you get a permanent solution to your hair loss.
If you are looking for a natural-looking result and have been considering an eyebrow hair transplant, Dr. Karishma Kagodu can help. Please call +91 8042036382, +91 9108969006, or +91 7624809006 to start your journey to achieving naturally full eyebrows using eyebrow hair transplantation.
July 4, 2025
What are the top 4 Tips for Facial feminization Rhinoplasty/ Nose Job?
Feminization of the nose is one of the most requested procedures for transgender women to harmonize the nose in relation to the forehead and upper and lower jaws.
Nasal feminization surgery is done to make the nose smaller, as a characteristic of the female nose, by bringing the bridge down and refining the nasal tip point upwards.
Facial feminization rhinoplasty offers a softer appearance of the nose profile along with other facial features.
Rhinoplasty surgery performed for facial feminization can also correct discomforts like a deviated septum or help fix broken nasal bones or respiratory failure.
Feminization of the nose is considered a treatment protocol for transgender transformation, typically from male to female. It makes a substantial contribution to restoring a gender identity, as well as improving the self-esteem and quality of life for trans women.
Dr. Karishma Kagodu, MS, M CH., a board-certified plastic surgeon and Managing Director of Dr. Karishma Aesthetics, noted that during the past few years, several feminization techniques had been adapted for facial feminization, such as forehead reconstruction, lip lift, lower jaw, and chin recontouring, cheek procedures, thyroid cartilage recontouring, and nose job. The facial feminization technique can also include hairline advancement, hair transplants, brow lifts, and lip lifts. However, a tailor-made plan is required for every trans woman who wants nasal feminization surgery.
As plastic surgeons, we look at a couple of things for feminization of the nose concerning the assessment of the patient’s gender status on the scale of transgender transformation, and then only carefully custom tailor the operation to meet an aesthetic result beyond gender differences.

Dr. Karishma explains the top 4 tips for facial feminisation rhinoplasty that must be considered while planning the FFS:

Smaller nose more feminine: The smaller nose is considered more feminine, which says your nose profile should have a softer appearance, meaning reduced nose width and raised nasal tip to give it a more feminine appearance. The nose appearance should be harmonized with the other modified facial features, such as the forehead and maxillomandibular complex. By removing a caudal portion of the septum, including some mucosa, a significant alteration can be done in length, along with some tip rotation. The view of making the bridge and tip smaller, with a narrower nose bridge, is about achieving a more feminine nasal profile.
Removing the nasal bridge bone: Bringing the bridge down is another top consideration for your nose feminization surgery. Plastic surgeons who are experts in facial feminization rhinoplasty remove any excess bridge composed of bone and cartilage for an optimal result. Moreover, the cartilaginous hump is resected, and the bony bridge is reduced to achieve a more feminine nasal appearance.
Rotating the tip up: Rotating the tip up, not crazy up, is the next priority for a facial feminization rhinoplasty. Refinement of the tip with a slightly raised status helps reshape the nose to fit the most feminine facial features.
Forehead reconstruction and rhinoplasty: Rhinoplasty is a highly customized procedure that requires a thorough evaluation before planning the surgical job. Regarding facial feminization rhinoplasty, the topmost concern is meeting the gender identity given to a trans woman. However, to achieve optimal results, nasal feminization may combine with other procedures, such as forehead reconstruction, lip lift, cheek augmentation, jaw angle reduction, or chin width reduction.
Dr, Karishma Kagodu has a particular interest in rhinoplasty procedures for both men and women, with the credit of satisfying thousands of patients worldwide. In addition, she is skilled in developing a précised plan to create a nose that is the best fit for transgender people with a gender identity that differs from the sex assigned to them at birth, as an alteration for the nose can be essential in their transition.
If you want to know more or looking for facial feminization rhinoplasty surgery in Bangalore, get in touch with Dr. Karishma Kagodu, MS, M CH., at Dr. Karishma Aesthetics on +91 8042036382, +91 9108969006, +91 7624809006 and schedule your one-on-one consultation today.
July 4, 2025
Top 5 FAQs about Rhinoplasty | Nose Job Procedure
If your nose is not aesthetically pleasing, or you may have difficulty breathing, then rhinoplasty surgery or a nose job is recommended with or without septoplasty surgery. Rhinoplasty surgery gives your nose an aesthetic shape, size, and appearance by reshaping, realigning or refining structures inside the nose. Septoplasty surgery fixes the deviated nasal septum in the midline of the nose to improve your breathing problem. Even minor tweeks on the nose bring about improvement in the overall facial appearance, since the nose is the central feature of the face. Rhinoplasty in banaglore at Dr Karishma Aesthetics addresses nasal deformities, trauma related nose defects and birth defects.
Our specialist, board-certified plastic surgeon, and a reputed name in the Indian plastic cosmetic surgery fraternity, Dr. Karishma Kagodu, MBBS, MS, M CH., performs one of the best Rhinoplasty surgery in Bangalore. She can help restore your nose and its functionality, whether the cause is genetics or an injury. However, if you are not satisfied with your nasal appearance and find it is bulky, crooked, or too big, or you may have deviated nasal septum due to a birth defect, schedule your introductory consultation with our rhinoplasty surgeon.
This article explains the top questions about rhinoplasty surgery often asked by our prospective patients in Bangalore, helping you with the best way to understand the procedure.
Dr.KarisgmaKagodu gives you a quick listing of the FAQs about nose surgery to enhance your knowledge and help you plan the procedure to avoid last-minute chaos.
Note:“Avoid cheap surgeons and backroom clinics, which might cause unpleasant outcomes, as that may be unfixable and your nose can not be hidden!”

Top 5 FAQs about Nose Surgery Procedure

1. What is reduction rhinoplasty?

Reduction rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure to reduce the length and width of your nose protrusion. This is one of the most famous nose job surgeries, as it helps restore facial balance and proportions. Reduction rhinoplasty is the most common procedure sought-after by both men and women.

2. What is augmentation rhinoplasty?

If you are worried about the small size of your nose or the nose deficient in height, then augmentation rhinoplasty is a suitable option for you. Augmentation rhinoplasty is performed to enhance the nose height and helps improve both the size and the contour of your nose, creating a more aesthetic and proportionate look. You may be a victim of a too-small nose for various reasons, including hereditary factors, injuries, infections, or previous ruined rhinoplasty. In such cases, augmentation rhinoplasty is a rescue.

3. What is Alarplasty?

Alarplasty is performed to reduce the size of the nose base and can also improve flaring nostrils. The procedure removes a little soft tissue from the base of the nose and improves a nose that is too wide at the base, commonly performed for those with Asian, South American and south indian descendants. In addition, Alarplasty may be used for cosmetic or functional reasons, making the nose look more symmetrical. Technically, alarplasty is a specific type of rhinoplasty that requires the utmost precision and aesthetic skills on the part of the nose job surgeon.

4. What is Septoplasty?
The deviated nasal septum is a medical condition caused by hereditary factors (a birth defect); some people may develop it after injury or trauma to the nose. A deviated septum increases the risk of sinus infections due to poor drainage corrected by septorhinoplasty or septoplasty that improves your breathing concerns. Septoplasty is a minor surgical procedure that offers significant benefits for many people.
Since the procedure can open your nasal passage and addresses difficulty breathing by strengthening both the nose bone and cartilage dividing the space between your two nostrils (septum), it is specifically recommended for those having a bent or crooked nose for multiple reasons, including:
Injury/trauma
Genetics
Previous break/s
Or other factors, such as nasal cartilage infection.

5. How long is rhinoplasty surgery?

A nose job procedure can take anywhere between 2-4 hours. Sometimes the procedure can take even longer, depending on the extent of the problem, the type of procedure your surgeon is performing, and the customized goal of the patient may influence the procedure length. Rhinoplasty surgery in Bangalore is one of the commonest procedures opted.

A nose job or rhinoplasty surgery is one of the most complicated plastic surgery procedures that require a combination of science, medicine, and aesthetic art on the part of your plastic surgeon. However, choosing only an expert, board-certified rhinoplasty surgeon is recommended.

If you want to know more or looking for rhinoplasty surgery in Bangalore, get in touch with Dr. Karishma Kagodu, MS, M CH., at Dr. Karishma Aesthetics on +91 8042036382, +91 9108969006, +91 7624809006 and schedule your in-person consultation today.
July 4, 2025
What is the difference between Alarplasty and Rhinoplasty?
A rhinoplasty alters your nose’s shape, size, and projection, whereas an alarplasty aims to reduce excess skin and tissue from your nostrils to make your nose narrower.
Most patients take at least two weeks off work after rhinoplasty, but alarplasty has a quicker healing time and almost no discomfort.
Rhinoplasty removes dorsal humps and corrects the shape of the nose by means of bone shavings and cartilage reduction, but alarplasty can help improve wide nostrils or nostrils that don’t suit your face.
Alarplasty is a less invasive procedure that usually lasts up to an hour, while a rhinoplasty usually lasts 3-4 hours.
Dr. Karishma Kagodu, MS, M CH., a board-certified, fully-trained plastic surgeon, has a super specialty in performing all types of rhinoplasty surgery and earned the credit of the best rhinoplasty surgeon in India who offers unmatched results. In her practice in Indiranagar and Whitefield Bengaluru, Dr. Kagodu offers all aspects of reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, and her prime specialty is rhinoplasty/ nose job and nostril surgery.
In this write-up, Dr. Kagodu gives an insight into rhinoplasty and alarplasty surgery, often asked by the patients during their initial assessment at Kaesthetics and Kinder women’s hospital.

What is Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty, commonly known as nose job or nose surgery, is a plastic cosmetic procedure to change your nose’s shape, size, projection, or contour. Rhinoplasty surgery reshapes your nose and offers you an aesthetically pleasing nose to meet the realistic goal that suits your facial profile. However, choosing a rhinoplasty surgeon requires a lot of research in terms of the surgeon’s qualifications, experience, expertise, and accolades. On the other hand, the clinic’s accreditation also weighs the same importance. Therefore, one must choose a board-certified surgeon specializing in rhinoplasty surgery, as the difference between a good and a bad result in rhinoplasty can be a matter of one millimeter.
Dr. Karishma Kagodu performs both reconstructive and cosmetic rhinoplasty surgery for men and women and has a sense of both delicate surgical skills and an outstanding sense of aesthetics. She says that rhinoplasty epitomizes plastic surgery because it is a surgery of great finesse and takes years to master.
Reconstructive Rhinoplasty: A reconstructive nose operation is performed to correct the form and functions of the nose, such as septoplasty to address the concerns of a deviated septum or when a nose job is required to address accidental injuries or trauma.
Cosmetic rhinoplasty: Rhinoplasty surgery performed for cosmetic purposes help enhance the shape, size, and appearance of your nose that best suits your facial profile and provide a more symmetrical appearance.

Rhinoplasty addresses many aspects of the nose and its underlying structure, including:

Tip of the nose
Bulbous Tip
Boxy Tip
Droopy Tip
Dorsal Hump Reduction
Breathing Difficulties
Deviated Septum

Rhinoplasty surgery does the following job:

Increase or decrease the nose size
Alter the shape of the tip of the nose, the bridge of the nose, and the nostrils
Reducing the dorsal hump allows for accentuating the eyes and cheekbones;
Change the angle between the nose and the upper lip
Straighten the septum to correct the deviated septum with septoplasty surgery

What is Alarplasty?

An alarplasty/ alar base reduction, also called nostril reduction surgery removes excess skin and tissues from your nostrils to address wide nostrils or nostrils that don’t suit your face. If someone is worried about wider nostrils and wants an aesthetically pleasing appearance, alarplasty is recommended, which can either be done alone or alongside rhinoplasty. Most often, an alar base reduction surgery can be combined with other surgical procedures, such as septoplasty or nose reshaping surgery, and are more common in people of ethnicity and those who find their nose is not aesthetically pleasing. Dr. Karishma Kagodu can help you achieve narrower nostrils for a more balanced face.
Note: The aesthetic skills of a rhinoplasty surgeon are the key to best alar base reduction results since knowing the face’s contours and proportions is extremely important for a natural-looking result.
During the procedure of alarplasty, small incisions are made at the bottom of the outer edge of the nostrils, a bit of tissue is removed, then tiny sutures close up the wounds. It is a quick, minimally invasive procedure that is almost without any discomfort. However, recovery time is shorter, usually one or two weeks, and scars are most often invisible after healing.

Alarplasty surgery helps you achieve many benefits, including:

Symmetrical nostrils

Improved looks of the nose, and overall facial harmony

Adjustments of the size and width of the nostrils

Better facial balance, as alarplasty restores the proportion of your face

Improved self-esteem.

If you are interested in rhinoplasty/ nose job or Alarplasty/ nostril surgery in Bangalore, consult Dr. Karishma Kagodu, Managing Director of Kaesthetics, by calling +91 8042036382, +91 9108969006, +91 7624809006 and book your appointment today.
July 2, 2025
Myths about Breast Augmentation

Myth 1: I won’t be able to breastfeed.

Truth: This inescapable myth is one of the biggest involving breast augmentations. The fact is that in most cases it is possible to breastfeed your children after an implant has been placed. While performing the implant procedure, we place the implants behind the breast tissue or behind your pectoral chest muscles, hence the breast tissue is untouched. In the case of augmentation with fat, the injected fat has no effects on your existing breast tissue. In rare circumstances, women with small-sized breasts may not breastfeed even without surgery. Genetically many women are unable to breastfeed. There is no direct scientific evidence proving breast augmentation affects breastfeeding

Myth 2: Breast implants need to be replaced after ten years.

Truth: The term 10-15 years is often said as the life of breast implants. However, it is not a compulsion to change your implants at 10-15 years as long as your breast feel soft and look natural. Yes, it is true that over a period of time, the implants are undergoing wear and tear. Wear and tear can cause implant rupture/tear at times and may need to be replaced. If you develop hardness in the breast, change in feeling, discomfort, or change in shape- then there could be a capsular contracture (implant illness). Over time, and due to wear and tear, this capsule becomes rarely hard and causes external symptoms as mentioned. Nothing to worry about, meet your plastic surgeon, and examine your implants’ status using MRI, mammograms, or sonograms. Only if there are wear and tear issues do you have to replace your implants, or you can keep it as long as you feel your breasts feel and look normal.

Myth 3: I am more susceptible to breast cancer if I have implants.

Truth: Scientifically, there is no link between having breast implants and breast cancer. Due to highly developed techniques, breast augmentation procedures using FDA-approved medical grade III implants are highly safe. In fact, those women who have had breast cancer, tend to reconstruct their breasts post-mastectomy with implants to provide them with new breasts.

Myth 4: Breast cancer scanning will damage my implants.

Truth: Nowadays, FDA-approved implants are incredibly durable and safe. A medical evaluation with an ultrasound, mammogram, CT scan, or MRI won’t affect implants anyway.

Myth 5: Breast implants can cause rib pain.

Truth: With the right size and shape of the implants, rib pain won’t be a case after breast augmentation surgery. Usual symptoms of pain post-surgery will be there for 4-5 days and it subsides with pain medications.

Myth 6: Breast implants make my boobs look fake.

Truth: during the 1900’s trends in breast augmentation favored heavily enhanced looks which made it look fake and unnatural. This is no longer the case and the recent trends point towards a more natural look. New implant technologies and shapes have allowed for better designs and a range of sizes. If you are looking for a natural look, your plastic surgeon will choose an implant with less projection and less volume giving you a subtle look if you wish. It is not a compulsion to put bigger than normal-sized implants. It finally depends on what you desire as your final Cup size.
With the expert hand of the plastic surgeon, you can achieve realistic outcomes, as the aesthetic skills of a surgeon are key to your natural results.

Myth 7: Implants guarantee perky, youthful-looking breasts.

Truth: Aging, hormonal changes, massive weight changes, pregnancy and breastfeeding- all take a toll on your breast size, shape and appearance. Moreover, if you have a sagging concern, we may suggest a breast lift surgery with or without breast augmentation with implants or fat transfer. These procedures are customized and only after your consultation, can we as plastic surgeons advise you on the right combination of procedures. If mild sagging, a breast implant is sufficient to give a breast lift and provide volume. With very severe breast sagging, a Breast lift will be needed in combination with either an implant or fat. Few women only want a breast lift without added volume, and in these cases, we can avoid the implant or fat.

Myth 8: You should go as big as possible.

Truth: The selection of implant size and shape is wholly and solely based on the individual’s anatomy and breast profile. While choosing an implant, we work carefully to match your breast dimensions and characteristics, so your results look natural and not artificial. Thus, choosing always bigger is not a rule.

July 2, 2025
Top 5 FAQs about Recovery after Gynecomastia Surgery/ Male Breast Reduction
“Recovery from gynecomastia surgery is usually not too worrying, and one can resume normal daily routine after 2-3 weeks!”
Gynecomastia surgery doesn’t involve much tissue removal since men do not tend to have much breast tissue. Thus, recovery usually goes smoothly and hassle-free.
During the initial period of recovery, it is expected to experience fatigue, as your body’s energy will be utilized to heal your wounds.
Some pain, swelling, and bruising are unavoidable and necessitate using painkillers, compression vests, and antibiotics to heal smoothly.
Numbness in a patch of skin on the breasts is not uncommon and is usually temporary.
Gynecomastia or male breast reduction surgery is usually recommended when enlarged male breast tissues don’t go on their own and become the cause of concern. Enlarged breasts in men and boys are a common problem that may be developed due to hormonal imbalance during puberty, obesity, or using certain medications. Moreover, male breast reduction surgery in Bangalore is getting popular, as more than 60% of male patients across the country take an interest in joining medical tourism in Bangalore and get happily satisfied with the results.
Dr. Karishma Kagodu, MS, M CH (a board-certified plastic surgeon), Managing Director of Kaesthetics, also contributing her services to Kinder women’s hospital, Whitefield, Bangalore, noted that “you will need to rest for 2-3 weeks before you resume your normal daily activities, and it’s all okay to experience some pain, swelling, and bruising managed by the post-op measures.

Dr. Karishma Kagodu mentioned a list of symptoms that you can expect when recovering from gynecomastia surgery:

Fatigue is common for the first few days after gynecomastia surgery, as your body’s energy will be utilized to heal your wounds.
Feeling some burning pain in your breasts is natural, which is all tolerable, but necessitates using painkillers for pain-sensitive patients.
You may report losing sensation in a patch of skin on your breasts, which is a common occurrence and usually temporary.
Swelling in the armpits and chest regions lasts for a couple of weeks and necessitates wearing a compression vest to heal smoothly.

FAQs about Recovery after Gynecomastia Surgery/ Male Breast Reduction:

1. What happens if you don’t wear a compression vest after gynecomastia surgery?

Wearing a compression garment after gynecomastia surgery is recommended to minimize swelling and bruising results in shortening the wound healing time. After male breast reduction surgery, swelling and bruising won’t go away as fast, and there will be a higher chance for seroma (fluid collection), and hematoma (blood collection), which necessitates wearing a pressure garment helps address unwanted complications.

2. Is gynecomastia surgery painful?

Pain is almost bearable after gynecomastia surgery since the procedure doesn’t involve too much tissue dissection. But, some degree of pain can be experienced by those who are too pain sensitive. However, painkillers are often prescribed to achieve a hassle-free healing experience.

3. Is it worth getting gynecomastia surgery?

Of course, yes. If your condition is subjected to hormonal imbalance, adulthood, or medications and fails to respond on its own. It is suggested to undergo male breast reduction surgery to restore masculinity and self-confidence. The enlarged male breast can cause various psychological issues, as one starts getting body shaming and low self-esteem, resulting in a lack of confidence and avoidance of social gatherings. However, it is recommended to get gynecomastia surgery that can give you a flat chest with many features. You can enjoy going shirtless or with tight-fitting shirts according to your preferences. This result-oriented procedure has a relatively shorter recovery period, making it a worthwhile decision.

4. Can you sleep on your side after gynecomastia surgery?

It is recommended to sleep only on your back during the healing period after gynecomastia surgery. Sleeping on your side is acceptable, but one should avoid sleeping on the stomach until a complete recovery is achieved. Sleeping on the stomach should be avoided for at least four weeks post-surgery.

5. Can gynecomastia grow back after surgery?

Usually, gynecomastia surgery gives you permanent results, as breast tissue is removed permanently and rarely grows back. In addition, since both fat and glands are removed, the breast enlargement condition doesn’t recur. Nevertheless, gynecomastia can infrequently return after surgery when a person gains a significant amount of weight, develops a hormonal imbalance, or doesn’t follow a healthy lifestyle post-surgery, requiring further treatment.

If you want to know more or looking for gynecomastia surgery, get in touch with Dr. Karishma Kagodu, MS, M CH., at Dr. Karishma Aesthetics on +91 8042036382, +91 9108969006, +91 7624809006 and schedule your one-on-one consultation today.
July 2, 2025
Differences between a Fat transfer and Butt implants for a Brazilian Butt lift!
“A fat transfer to buttocks uses your body’s own fat to create a contoured and  voluptuous buttocks, whereas buttock implants using silicone implants for those without enough fat to meet the demand for a Brazilian Butt Lift surgery.
Are you considering a buttock enhancement surgery to achieve a voluptuous, sculpted butt profile but are confused about the suitable option?
Are you struggling with unwanted fat deposits in the localized areas but unaware of how to get a curved, slender, sculpted body and shapely buttocks with a single contouring surgery, i.e., fat transfer?
Have you done your research, and now your next step is to opt for butt augmentation, but you still need more knowledge about the options available?
If you are considering butt enhancement surgery to achieve an appealing, shapely, and contoured derriere, you may have also come across the options available to meet the realistic goal. However, fat transfer to buttocks and butt implants using silicone implants in Bangalore are two prevalent options employed in butt augmentation surgery. You may be a right fit candidate for a fat transfer or butt augmentation with implants for a butt lift, or in some cases, some patients may be suitable candidates for both procedures. But, the feasible option in your case is decided during the primary evaluation session with your plastic surgeon.
Dr. Karishma Kagodu, MS, M CH., a board-certified plastic surgeon, carefully evaluate her patient’s anatomical and physiological status to suggest a suitable option. Since the procedure of butt augmentation is full of challenges, it requires special attention while choosing the right method or option to fulfill the desired surgical goal.

What is a fat transfer to the buttocks for a butt lift?

Butt lift performed with fat transfer is a plastic surgery procedure involving the transfer of fat from other areas of the body, such as thighs, hips, or waist using liposuction technique and injecting the fat into the buttock area. The fat once extracted is purified. The purified fat is inserted into the buttocks, which require good technique and attention to detail. Butt augmentation using fat transfer is a natural process that doesn’t involve the risks of infections or implant rejections. Therefore, women with excess fat deposits in localized areas of the body, such as thighs, hips, or waist, are ideal candidates for fat transfer butt lift surgery. And butt augmentation with fat transfer can offer you dual benefits of contouring surgery, as on one side, the procedure helps achieve an improved buttock shape. On the other, it removes unwanted fat from localized areas, giving you a slender, sculpted, and defined overall body contour accepted on the aesthetic body scale meter. Patients tend to prefer fat as it is your own tissue being used. However you must know that after each fat transfer session, 30-40% of the fat is absorbed by your own body and multiple sessions of fat transfer may be required. For small Hip-Dip corrections, 1 session may be enough. Fat retaining capacity of each individual is different. Mild to moderate buttock enhancement can be achieved with a single procedure.

What are Buttock implants?

Butt implants or gluteoplasty is a plastic surgery procedure involving silicone implants in the buttock area to offer you a contoured, curvier rear end. Even though the procedure is invasive with concerned post-op measures, it is the best option for those seeking a voluptuous butt profile or in those who do not have enough fat in the body to undergo a fat transfer butt lift surgery.
Dr. Karishma recommends FDA-approved silicone implants (which are different than breast implants) for butt augmentation for those women who are not a suitable candidate for a fat transfer butt lift but desire to have a more significant butt volume.

Differencesbetween a fat transfer and butt implants for a Butt lift in the context of Risk, Recovery, and Results:

1. Increased potential for revision surgery with implants:

One of the reasons that make fat transfer butt lift more popular than butt implant is their risk-free attributes. Butt implants involve a foreign object, i.e., silicone implants placed in your buttocks, which may raise the risks of rejection or infection. However, butt implants need to be replaced after 10-15years if there are wear and tear issues. Revision procedures may be required. On the other hand, the fat transfer butt lift procedure uses liposuction to remove excess fat from localized areas of the body, which is then injected into the butt to fulfill the volume, shape, and contour demand of the buttocks. Because your body fat is used in the procedure, you won’t have to worry about infection, implant rejection, or any other inhibited movement that can sometimes occur with implants.

2. Fat transfer and Buttock Implants Have Different Recovery Times:

Whether you get a fat transfer to buttocks or butt implants, you will experience some recovery process. The fat transfer and butt implants have some recovery time but with a different process. Fat transfer BBL has a faster recovery than butt implants. Fat transfer butt lift recovery takes about 2 to 3 weeks. For the first two, you must avoid both sitting and lying directly on your buttocks, requiring a donut seat or BBL pillow during the healing period to avoid unwanted complications. On the other hand, butt implants involve a long recovery, and your plastic surgeon instructs you not to put direct pressure on your backside for three to four weeks as you go through the healing process. You must avoid strenuous activities for at least 6 to 8weeks to recover smoothly. Buttock implants have stitch line between the natal cleft which need 2-3weeks to heal completely. The patient’s dedication towards keeping their wounds clean and dressing the wounds is crucial for smooth healing.

3. Fat transfer butt lift may require revision procedures, while buttock implants are permanent:

One of the significant differences between fat transfer to buttocks and butt implants is the longevity of the results. Fat transfer results are permanent and give you a natural feel as your body fat is injected into the buttocks to create a voluptuous effect. However, a portion of the fat injected may tend to get absorbed into the body. In thin patients, more fat may get lost. The first 3 months are needed to observe how much fat has been retained. Sometimes, if you desire more volume, another session of fat grafting will be needed.  On the other hand, butt implants are permanent. Based on your desire for volume and buttock measurements taken, a fixed volume is decided which does not change. Being a foreign body, it will undergo wear and tear over many years, however you do not have to change the implant as long as it looks and feels natural. In case of capsular contracture, the buttock implant will have to be replaced. Otherwise, the implants are designed to last atleast 10 to 15years.

If you want to know more or looking for a fat transfer butt lift or butt implants, call Dr. Karishma Kagodu, MS, M CH., at +91 8042036382, +91 9108969006, +91 7624809006 and schedule your consultation today.
July 2, 2025