Software can make your image lovely, or monstrous

Want to see a beautiful new you? Or perhaps see yourself turn into a monster?

Either of those is possible at a Web site developed by the Canadian branch of Irvine-based Allergan, which makes Botox and Juvederm wrinkle-fighting injections.

If you visit the Juvederm Revitalizer page of the www.juvederm.ca Web site, you can upload a photo of yourself, choose the areas of your face you’d like treated, and then see the results – for better or for worse.

For faces with some wrinkles, the software often works as intended. It can produce a new image with shallower wrinkles, higher eyebrows and slightly fuller lips. The samples above are typical results, showing how the site transformed my photo. (Above left is my photo from a few years ago. Above right is the same photo, transformed subtly to simulate cosmetic treatments, most notably the shallower folds between my nose and my mouth.)

Occasionally the software analyzes the photo incorrectly and produces a strange new look. (See below.) Or it can also be tricked into producing monstrous new faces, which is what happens if you repeatedly feed the Revitalizer’s “after” photos back into the program.

The Juvederm Revitalizer software is based on so-called Modiface technology created by Dr. Parham Aarabi, the head of the University of Toronto’s Artificial Perception Laboratory.

If you’d like to play around with this software, why no enter the “Make Yourself a Monster” contest on my Tech Playground page?

Doctors’ suggestions for Virginia Madsen — and your advice too

Actress Virginia Madsen is open about her use of Botox. She’s endorses it on behalf of Allergan, in fact.

But cosmetic doctors say there’s more she could do to improve her looks. For example:

• A neck lift.
• More Botox for crow’s feet.
• Dental surgery to reduce the visibility of her gums.
• Fraxel laser treatment to soften the lines on her cheeks.
• Protection from sun whenever she goes outside.

What do you think? Read the doctors’ suggestions and then vote in my SURVEY.

Plastic surgeon has theories about death of Kanye West’s mom, but won’t talk

The plastic surgeon who operated on Kanye West’s mother the day before she died walked off CNN’s “Larry King Live” during an interview Tuesday (see photo), saying that the West family had asked him not to go on the talk show.

Dr. Jan Adams had told a previous interviewer at the Los Angeles Times that Donda West might have died of a heart attack, pulmonary embolism or accidental overdose of painkillers prescribed after the procedures.

“I believe I know exactly what happened to her, but I will not comment on it until I see the final (coroner’s) report,” he told the newspaper.

Does Donda West’s death make you more wary of plastic surgery? Take this SURVEY. Results so far — about 50 percent say yes.

More HERE.

Simon Cowell relies on Botox, shuns plastic surgery and hair color

Botox, yes. Plastic surgery, no.

That’s a fairly common attitude. But “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell adds a different twist: Hair color, no way.

He says he uses Botox to fight back against wrinkles, hasn’t had plastic surgery and would never color his hair.

“Vain? Yeah, I am. But to be honest with you, I can’t think of one person who is on TV who isn’t vain,” he said in an interview with the Daily Mail. “It’s the nature of the beast. If you are on TV then you have a vanity, for sure. Just admit it! Why not?”

“Yes, I’ve had Botox, but not in an obsessive way,” he said. “I’ve never dyed my hair, ever and I wouldn’t.”

Cowell, who was born Oct. 7, 1959, is 48 years old.

See more about celebrities’ use of cosmetic medicine at the Celebrity Corner.

Kanye West’s mom had plastic surgery in ‘low-rent storefront clinic’ in LA

Does Donda West’s death make you more wary of plastic surgery? Take this SURVEY.

COSMETIC MEDICINE

“A low-rent storefront clinic perched above a FedEx Kinko’s store in a West Los Angeles strip mall” was the site of the plastic surgery that preceded the death of rap star Kanye West’s mother on Saturday, OK according to the New York Daily News.

The newspaper said the address was provided by the Los Angeles County coroner. The clinic, Brentwood Surgery Center, displayed promotion for surgeon Jan Adams’ skin-care products on a faux Grecian column, the article added.

In related news, several publications reported on how devastated Kanye West was because of Donda West’s death.

He pulled out of a performance at the annual Victoria’s Secret fashion show. The show, set to air Dec. 4 on CBS, was taping at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles on Thursday.

The Daily News reported that West didn’t think his mom “needed any physical improvement – much less radical cosmetic surgery. … ‘I don’t think Kanye was aware Donda was getting the surgery, or certainly the extent of it,’ a family friend said. ‘He loved and supported her just the way she was. He thought she was beautiful.’ “

Death of Kanye West’s mom sends message — be careful

COSMETIC MEDICINE

Doctors say the death of hip-hop star Kanye West’s mother after plastic surgery sends a message to plastic surgeons and patients alike:

Be more careful.

Early results from an online survey of readers showed that 44 percent said Donda West’s death makes them more wary of plastic surgery.

“This tragedy reinforces the need to avoid trivializing cosmetic surgical procedures. They require the same expertise and quality of care as other elective and urgent procedures, and should never be taken lightly,” said Dr. Christopher B. Zachary, chairman of the Department of Dermatology at UCI.

Patients should check out a doctor carefully before undergoing treatment, said plastic surgeon Michael C. Edwards of Las Vegas.

“The doctors that get all the press aren’t always the safest and most well-trained,” he said.

Dr. Jan Adams, who performed a tummy tuck and breast reduction on Donda West, 58, is under investigation by the state medical board because of alcohol-related arrests. He also has been the target of malpractice lawsuits and has paid nearly $500,000 in civil settlements, the Associated Press reported.

Read more here.

Kanye West’s mom died of complications after cosmetic surgery

The mother of 30-year-old hip-hop star Kanye West died over the weekend from what officials are now calling complications after cosmetic surgery.

Read more here.

Does the death of Donda West death make you more wary of plastic surgery? Take a survey here.

Kim Cattrell tells of her Botox shots, distaste for plastic surgery

Actress Kim Cattrell, star of “Sex and the City,” says she uses Botox but shies away from plastic surgery, the British magazine Now reports.

“’I'm too terrified to get any proper work done so I’ve just had little things,” she says.

More at Celebrity Corner.

Women in 20s use Botox to freeze their youthful looks

Inspired by celebrities’ good looks, more people in their 20s are getting Botox and other treatments in an attempt to preserve their youthful appearance, according to a report from Sacramento television station KCRA.

“What they’re trying to do is prevent lines here from ever forming with the idea being if they never form, you never have to do anything to erase them,”said dermatologist Dr. Suzanne Kilmer.

One patient, Amy Kabakov, 27, commented, “We see all these celebrities looking great, we have these expectations to look up to, and at the same time it just makes you feel better,” said. “I think it makes you feel good when you look in the mirror and you’re happy with the way you look.”

The article said Kilmer tells patients that the best thing they can do to stop aging is to use sunscreen containing zinc oxide.

Mixed emotions about Jane Seymour’s tale of implants, etc.

In early results from a poll on how readers feel about Jane Seymour’s revelations, some people felt they’d been lied to, but others were pleased that she told the truth. You can make your opinion known in this poll.