As women and men age, it’s common for skin on the face to show the effects of gravity and sun damage. Indiana plastic surgeons provide a number of surgical options for reducing the signs of aging, but a popular trend among people who may not be ready for a surgical procedure is the use of dermal fillers. Dermal fillers temporarily restore volume, and smooth away wrinkles. Here are two dermal fillers I frequently use for non-surgical skin rejuvenation:

• JUVÉDERM® XC is a gel filler and an excellent option for women and men who are concerned with wrinkles that form around the nose and mouth. This treatment effectively replaces lost hyaluronic acid, resulting in smoother skin and increased facial volume. Depending on the extent of treatment, results can last up to 9 months.
• Restylane® is a hyaluronic-based dermal filler that effectively replaces lost volume, and fills in moderate to severe wrinkles that form along the nose and mouth (nasolabial folds). The results can last up to a year for women and men.

Other alternatives are available, depending on your concerns and skin condition. Speaking to an experienced surgeon about your options is the first step in achieving smoother skin and a youthful complexion.

At my practice, patients often ask me if there’s “really” a difference between dermal fillers and BOTOX® Cosmetic in the Boston area. Surprisingly, the difference between these treatments is generally greater than what many people originally suspect. Understanding the purpose of each product and determining which treatment is most appropriate for you depends on what you want to achieve and your skin characteristics.

Dermal Fillers

Injectable fillers such as JUVÉDERM in the Boston area is used to add volume to deflated areas of the face or to fill in wrinkles. These products are made from a variety of materials but usually contain a naturally-occurring substance known as “hyaluronic acid.” Hyaluronic acid is a substance that plumps the skin with essential moisture, giving the appearance of youthful facial contours and reducing the appearance of lines. Many people use dermal fillers to reduce the appearance of pronounced wrinkles, such as those in the outer corners of the mouth (nasolabial folds) or around the eyes. Dermal fillers are also used to add definition to the lips by restoring lost volume and smoothing lip lines and creases.

BOTOX Cosmetic

BOTOX Cosmetic is made from a protein derivative called “botulinum toxin A.” Unlike fillers, BOTOX Cosmetic does not create a plumping effect in the skin, but rather prevents the facial muscles from contracting. When facial movement is reduced, the muscles relax and soften– thereby diminishing the appearance of wrinkles. BOTOX Cosmetic is frequently used to treat forehead creases and frown lines, especially those between the eyebrows.

Combined Approaches

Dermal fillers and BOTOX Cosmetic are often combined to create what is known as a “liquid facelift.” This treatment involves the strategic placement of a variety of different dermal fillers as well as BOTOX into targeted areas of the face to create a lifting effect on the skin. Liquid facelifts are a great solution for men and women who want temporary enhancements without surgery.

Using dermal fillers as an alternative to nose surgery is a relatively new technique that is also known as “liquid rhinoplasty.” I find that some people I talk to who are considering San Diego rhinoplasty are excited by the prospect of a less-invasive procedure that allows them to temporarily experience the benefits of nose reshaping without surgery.

What a Non-Surgical Nose Job Can Do?

Liquid Rhinoplasty can help correct minor nasal defects in certain people. Some of the common uses for this procedure include:

• Augmenting or adding volume to certain areas of the nose
• Building the bridge of the nose
• Refining the nasal tip
• Creating facial symmetry
• Filling in any defects or indentations

How It Works:

Injectables such as BOTOX ®, JUVÉDERM ® and RADIESSE®are common choices for a “non-surgical nose job” in part because they are FDA approved. These fillers provide temporary benefits, usually lasting between 6 months to a year. The substance is injected into specific areas in order to create balance facial features. Your surgeon will be able to help you choose the best filler for your cosmetic goals.

Who Should Have Liquid Rhinoplasty?

While I do not believe that this treatment is appropriate for everyone, it can be an option for the right person. Generally, people who want small corrections in their appearance are good candidates for liquid rhinoplasty, as are those who want quick results with little downtime.

People seeking dramatic, permanent changes on the other hand probably will not be satisfied in the long-term with the results that can be achieved with a filler. Similarly, those who wish to shorten the length of their nose would be better suited for traditional rhinoplasty. It is best to discuss your options with a skilled surgeon to determine which procedure is most appropriate for you.

In Santa Rosa, eyelid surgery is appealing to a wide variety of people. Those who are more mature often choose eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) to give the skin a youthful “lift.” Younger patients like it because it helps correct naturally droopy eyelids or reduce under-eye bags. Whatever the concern, there are many reasons to choose this procedure. However, there are a few people who have special considerations – such as thyroid conditions or dry eyes – that may make blepharoplasty an inappropriate choice. Here is a quick reference guide to determine if eyelid surgery is right for you.

Blepharoplasty May Be a Good Choice If:

• You have excess skin on the upper eyelids
• You have excess skin and fine lines around the lower lids
• You suffer from under-eye bags and dark circles
• You are in good health with no serious medical conditions

Talk with Your Doctor First If:

• You suffer from hypothyroidism or Graves’ disease
• You have dry eyes or lack sufficient tears
• You have a detached retina
• You have been diagnosed with glaucoma
• You suffer from high blood pressure and/or other circulatory disorders
• You have a history of cardiovascular disease
• You have diabetes

Even for individuals with one or more of the conditions mentioned above, a surgeon may still be able to perform eyelid surgery by coordinating with the person’s primary physician to minimize risk during surgery and recovery. Even for those who are not good candidates for blepharoplasty, a skilled doctor can provide nonsurgical options such as laser treatments for the skin below the eyes or the use of an injectable like BOTOX® to minimize wrinkles around the eye area.

Before making the decision to have plastic surgery, some patients like to take smaller non-surgical steps to improve their appearance. This is true for many of my patients who enjoyed the rejuvenation they achieved with BOTOX® Cosmetic and subsequently chose to pursue a face lift in Chicago.

If you’re not ready for surgery, but would like to achieve temporary rejuvenation, BOTOX may be a good choice for the following reasons:

• It is FDA approved for safety
• A single treatment typically takes about 15 minutes
• BOTOX requires no downtime
• The appearance of lines and wrinkles are significantly reduced
• The effects can last 3 to 4 months
• It is virtually painless and requires no anesthesia

BOTOX is undoubtedly one of the most popular anti-aging procedures available. It’s an excellent treatment, and many people are so satisfied with their results that they never decide to pursue surgery. However, if they want to make their younger look more dramatic and longer lasting, patients often elect to undergo other facial rejuvenation procedures after BOTOX.

If you read the news, you may have seen a recent study suggesting that BOTOX® may cause muscle loss over time. As a professional trainer for BOTOX and a participant in FDA clinical trials for new injectables, I am confident in the safety and effectiveness of this injectable treatment. I think more research is needed to determine the validity of this recently published study, but in the meantime I want to share a few facts for my Santa Rosa patients considering BOTOX.

FACT: BOTOX is FDA approved

In 2002 BOTOX received marketing clearance from the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of moderate-to-severe frown lines between the eyebrows. Over 4 million BOTOX treatments have been performed in the past year and it is without a doubt the leading non-surgical cosmetic treatment of the past decade. Both the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) agree that BOTOX is extremely safe when used correctly.

FACT: BOTOX is used for more than wrinkles

BOTOX has been used for several decades to treat a range of medical conditions, such as certain eye and neck muscle spasms and stiffness associated with muscle spasticity in the elbows and hands. In recent years it has also received market clearance for the treatment of underarm sweating and migraines.

FACT: Side effects of BOTOX are minimal

When administered properly, BOTOX has very few if any negative side effects. Slight bruising, minor facial pain, numbness, and possible skin irritation are some of the less serious after-effects that may occur, but most people who are treated with BOTOX Cosmetic do not have any side effects or downtime.

FACT: BOTOX can be dangerous when used incorrectly

BOTOX is not 100% without risk. When injected incorrectly (using too much or injecting it into the wrong place), the product can cause severe medical complications, including respiratory problems, headaches, and flu-like symptoms. It is crucial to find a professional injector who has been trained in the proper use of injectables and who administers BOTOX regularly.

In my experience, BOTOX continues to be a safe and effective cosmetic treatment when used correctly. My patients have experienced significant improvements after treatment and I am happy to have witnessed such positive results.

As we age, all kinds of lines and wrinkles can show up on our faces. Just to name a few, we’ve got marionette lines – the wrinkles from the corners of the mouth down to the chin – and “parentheses” – the wrinkles from the corners of the nose down to the mouth. One of the areas of wrinkling that bothers my patients the most is right between the eyebrows, where vertical lines can appear that make a person look angry or upset.

Several treatment options exist for these furrows between the brows, technically known as glabellar lines.

• Non-surgical: Probably the most frequent treatment I perform for glabellar lines at my Walnut Creek area practice is BOTOX® Cosmetic. BOTOX is designed to reduce wrinkles caused by facial movement (dynamic wrinkles) – and that’s exactly what glabellar lines are. Injected between the eyebrows, BOTOX relaxes the muscles that contract to cause frowns, scowls or other facial expressions. But don’t worry, in the hands of a skilled injector, BOTOX won’t eliminate your ability to show a full range of facial expressions.
• Surgery: Unlike BOTOX (which offers only temporary results), a surgical brow lift, sometimes called a forehead lift, could provide long-lasting improvement. I perform my brow lift procedures with an endoscope, using small incisions and tiny instruments to reposition the forehead skin and underlying tissue from beneath. This results in a more youthful appearance.

Enjoying Smoother Skin

BOTOX actually has many uses beyond glabellar lines, and the other injectable treatments I offer at my practice are often used to address “parentheses” and marionette lines. The truth is, injectable treatments can provide a very natural-looking freshening of the complexion. So whether those lines between your brows or some other lines, wrinkles or folds are weighing you down, help is available with the advanced treatments offered today.

The “injectable” nose job is an interesting new procedure that has been getting a lot of media hype lately. The name alone provokes curiosity, and sounds like something straight out of science fiction. Can a simple injection give you the ideal nose you’ve always wanted? For the vast majority of my Denver rhinoplasty patients, the answer is “no.”

The concept behind the injectable nose job or nonsurgical rhinoplasty is that, by injecting dermal fillers such as JUVÉDERM®, RADIESSE®, or Restylane®, the doctor can re-shape the nose without incisions. However, before you sign up for nonsurgical rhinoplasty, consider the facts:

• Fillers can only correct small irregularities, such as depressions, bumps, minor nose asymmetries or a droopy tip.
• Results from dermal filler injections are temporary, lasting from a few months up to a year.
• The nonsurgical nose job can only disguise irregularities; it does nothing to permanently correct them.
• The use of fillers in the nose can cause problems if you decide to undergo surgical rhinoplasty.

If you are unhappy with the size or shape of your nose, you deserve to have it corrected permanently. Although surgical rhinoplasty involves some discomfort and downtime, you’ll have the nose you want afterwards, and no more painful and costly injections. A re-shaped nose can bring balance and harmony to the entire face, and with surgical rhinoplasty, you can enjoy your results without counting the days until they disappear.

Baby boomers are those who were born shortly after World War II, when there was a dramatic increase in births. People in their 50s and 60s appear to be image-conscious and strive to fend off the signs of aging with cosmetic surgical procedures that rejuvenate the appearance. According to the survey, facelifts and cosmetic eyelid surgery tend to be the most popular among this generation, rising an astonishing 44% in 2009 over figures reported in the previous year. There was a 42% from 2008 to 2009 for cosmetic eyelid surgery.

However, noninvasive procedures that are designed to restore the youthful contours of the face experienced the highest increase. Dermal fillers that add volume and smooth out wrinkles experienced a 245% increase while there was a 157% jump in the numbers for Botox.

To be honest, the results of this survey come as no surprise. At our cosmetic surgery clinic in Toronto, our clients come from all walks of life and are from all generations. We have patients who are as young as 15 (usually for nonsurgical procedures such as laser acne treatment) and as old as 75 (liposuction). The most popular procedures for the baby boomer generation at Toronto Cosmetic Clinic are the following, in order of popularity:

1. Botox
2. dermal fillers, such as Juvederm and Restylane
3. facelifts
4.cosmetic eyelid surgery
5.laser skin tightening
6.liposuction (usually laser assisted)

Admittedly, most of our patients tend to be in their 30s and 40s, but this just goes to show you that just because you’re older, it doesn’t mean you have to give up the fight against the signs of aging! As long as you are relatively healthy, both physically and mentally, you can still be a candidate for cosmetic surgery.

If you’re planning for your wedding – possibly the single most memorable day of your life – it makes sense that you want everything to be perfect, including your appearance. That’s why many brides and grooms begin well in advance to improve diet and exercise, set dates for manicures and pedicures, or make teeth-whitening and skin-tanning appointments. In my practice, we’ve also seen a rise in the number of patients requesting pre-wedding cosmetic treatments and surgical procedures. Here are just a few.

Microdermabrasion: 3 days prior to wedding

After just one treatment, microdermabrasion helps your skin glow by gently exfoliating the outermost dead layer of skin.

Designer facials: 3 days prior to wedding

We uniquely tailor your facial based on an analysis of your skin’s tone and texture.

Dermal fillers: 3 weeks prior to wedding

Facial fillers can enhance and plump lips or cheeks, smooth marionette lines and deep furrows, and fill in scar depressions, including acne scars.

BOTOX® Cosmetic Treatment: 3 weeks prior to wedding

BOTOX can help you achieve smooth, wrinkle-free skin on your forehead, and it can minimize crow’s feet or frown lines.

Laser skin resurfacing: 3 to 4 months prior to wedding

FotoFacial® RF Laser Skin Rejuvenation reduces age spots, red spots, rosacea, and spider veins from the face, hands, and chest with Elos® technology, a combination of light and radiofrequency energies. A total of 5 treatments (1 every 3 weeks) is recommended.

Liposuction: 3 to 6 months prior to wedding

Using advanced liposuction techniques at my Long Island practice, I can sculpt specific problem areas of your body to achieve a smooth, contoured shape.

Breast augmentation: 6 months prior to wedding

Breast augmentation can give you the beautiful breasts you have always wanted.

Laser hair removal: 6 months prior to wedding

Laser hair removal permanently reduces treated hair in just 6 to 8 treatments, each spaced about 4 weeks apart.

For many women and men, pre-wedding cosmetic treatments or surgical procedures give them added confidence that they will look their very best on their big day.