We are incredibly fortunate to live in Fairfax County, a community that has a bustling holistic wellness scene, full of many restorative businesses that can benefit our minds, bodies and spirits. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite health-focused restaurants, spas and fitness studios in the Greater DC metro area. Invest in your own self-care and support the local economy by showing love to these great local businesses today! Nourishing Eats Greenheart Juice Shop was founded in 2013 by a small team with a big passion for plant-based nutrition. With four locations in the area, as well as a pr ..read more

Are you considering getting an enhanced backside contour with the popular Brazilian butt lift, or BBL, procedure? As common as this surgery seems to be, it is actually quite dangerous—and board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Hess advises his patients to think twice before seeking it out. Below, we explain why. The technique required to perform a BBL can be deadly A Brazilian butt lift—technically “gluteal fat grafting”— is a two part procedure: first, a surgeon uses liposuction to strategically remove fat from the waist, hips, flank, or thighs. This harvested fat is then purified ..read more

Plastic surgeons often combine plastic surgery procedures for their patients: Arm liposuction and arm lift, for example, yields a complementary result and may be performed all at once. Procedure combinations allow patients to have a single recovery, attend fewer appointments, and to save on certain costs. However, plastic surgery isn’t always “mix and match,” and there are certain cases in which combination plastic surgery is ill-advised or even dangerous. Below, board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Hess explains the situations in which he does not offer combined procedures, and wh ..read more

The damaging effects of UV radiation include sunburn, premature aging, dark spots, and even skin cancers. We all know that wearing sun-protective clothing and using sunscreen are some of the best ways to defend our skin, but a study suggests that your eating habits—particularly if you’re snacking late at night—may also have an effect on how well your skin is protected from UV damage. Here’s what you need to know. How late-night eating disrupts your skin’s natural protection A University of Texas study published in the journal Cell Reports looked at the effects of switching some mice’s natural ..read more

We’re fortunate to live near the nation’s capital where you can tour some of the world’s most iconic and notable art galleries, museums, and historic monuments for free. But many do not realize that our very own Fairfax County also has a myriad of no-or-low-cost activities to enjoy. Read on to learn about our favorite affordable “staycation” ideas in Fairfax and Northern Virginia! For Arts Enthusiasts If you’re looking for a low-key way to spend an afternoon or evening indoors, check out the Workhouse Arts Center. You’ll enjoy browsing the Center’s art galleries and studios, and can also lear ..read more

On their own, tummy tuck, arm lift, facelift, and breast augmentation surgeries are some of the most transformative and satisfying procedures available. Yet, pairing each of these touchstones with its companion procedure can help our DC-area patients take their results to the next level. Below, we explore 5 of our favorite plastic surgery procedures and explain how each can be enhanced when combined with its complementary procedure. But first, why should you consider combining your surgeries? Why combine plastic surgery procedures? Combining plastic surgery procedures can offer numerous benef ..read more

If you are fed up with shoulder pain, bra straps digging into your skin, and difficulty exercising, you may be a good candidate for breast reduction surgery (also known as reduction mammaplasty). This procedure provides relief from a number of symptoms associated with large breasts. But you will be making an investment of time and money in your surgery, so you are wise to investigate the risk of future changes that could affect your breast reduction results. The fact is, your breasts can get bigger again after breast reduction surgery, but it rarely happens (and this doesn’t mean that breast ..read more

From vape-able oils and edible gummies to topical salves and smokable flowers, CBD seems to be everywhere you look. It does not have psychoactive effects and thus is often seen as a “safe” option for managing pain and other concerns—but CBD users still need to understand how it can affect the body when it comes to having plastic surgery, as it can potentially compromise your safety and results. To clear up any misconceptions you may have around the use of CBD, board certified Fairfax plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Hess is answering your top 5 questions about CBD and plastic surgery. 1. What ..read more

The FDA recently updated its breast implant safety guidelines to address various concerns, including the potential risks of BIA-ALCL and breast implant illness. The revised guidelines add new safety information for surgeons to review with their patients in addition to the normal risks and benefits of breast implant surgery, as well as increase labeling and disclosure requirements for implant manufacturers. This month, we examine the FDA’s new guidelines and explain what they mean for patients and surgeons. What are the new FDA breast implant guidelines? The FDA is now requiring all breast imp ..read more

Even the fittest of us have pockets of fat that we can’t get rid of no matter how well we eat or how much we exercise. Similarly, you may be hitting the gym six days a week without noticing any significant muscle definition. The truth is, genetics and age play a large role in how we gain and lose both weight and muscle mass, and, unfortunately, these factors are completely outside of our control. Fortunately, however, two innovative technologies—CoolSculpting® and CoolTone—allow us to enhance our physiques without surgery. But what are the differences between CoolSculpting and CoolTone, and h ..read more