Botox® works great for lines caused by muscle movement.These lines include the frown lines, the forehead lines, and the
crow’s feet around the eyes and nose.It is a quick and simple injection that can be done anytime in one of
our convenient New Jersey or New York offices.Side effects are
extremely uncommon, and it is simply repeated every four months on average
for a wonderful, natural result.
There are many
different types of injectable fillers that can be used for wrinkles, folds
in the face, and the lips as evidenced by the large array of advertising
campaigns in magazines and on television.At Associates in Plastic Surgery, you can be assured that we only use
materials that are well tested and shown scientifically to work.We do not use any gimmick procedures to just get patients in the
door.
Injectable fillers
are most commonly used for the folds between the nose and lips (nasolabial
or NL folds or laugh lines) and
between the lips and chin (labiomandibular or LM
folds or drool lines) as a way of replenishing lost volume.As we age, two things typically happen to the midface – 1. The
cheeks fall as a result of gravity, and 2. You lose fat volume in the areas
of the NL and LM folds.The
different materials used to replenish the lost volume are:
1.
Restylane®
or Juvederm™ are
both hyaluronic acid products.Hyaluronic acid is a natural component of the skin, so no
skin allergy test is needed.These
products are typically used to fill the NL and LM folds as well as
other wrinkles on the face.They
can also be used to enhance the lips and to fill the crease that
sometimes forms under the eye (the tear trough).Since this is a very natural substance, there is no worry
about side effects and can last anywhere from 4-8 months.
2.
Radiesse® is a
formulation of calcium hydroxyapitite, which is also a common
substance in the body that is nonreactive.It is usually utilizedto
fill in the NL and LM folds as well as the cheeks.It produces a fuller result than Restylane® and may last up to
a year.
3.
Sculptra®
is Poly-L-lactic acid which works within the deep dermis to replace
lost collagen. It can be used in the nasolabial folds as well as
other areas on the face such as hollow cheeks or temporal regions.
The average number of injections is three and the results can last
up to 2 years.
4.
Collagen
is still used for the very fine, superficial lines in the skin that
cannot be filled with Restylane®, Juvederm™, or Radiesse® because those
fillers have to be placed a little deeper.With genetically engineered human collagen, no skin testing
is needed and a nice result is achieved immediately.
5.
Silicone
may be used in small quantities at a time for the lips, NL folds and
LM folds.A
microinjection technique allows the enlargement to proceed slowly,
giving the patient the opportunity to enhance the area until happy
with the result.
6.
Fat
can be harvested
through thin canulas from the outer hips or lovehandles.It is then processed and can be injected into the NL and LM
folds as well as the cheeks, lips, or under the eyes.Some fat is stored in the freezer and the patient returns a
few times during the year to build up a nice long lasting result.
7.
Threadlift
– Thin threads are placed under the skin using local anesthesia to
lift up the cheeks and jowls with a natural appearance.
PROCEDURE Our physicians will discuss all of the options with you.Most procedures such as Restylane®, Juvederm™, Radiesse®,
Collagen, or Silicone can be done on the day of consultation.A numbing injection is performed to minimize any pain, and
then the injection is carried out.
Usually some swelling will occur for less than a day.Occasionally, you will get some minor bruising which can be
covered up with makeup.The
injectable should look smooth and natural, but rarely a small bump
may be present that will resolve with massage of the area.
The wide
variety of injectable fillers can be confusing but the physicians at
Associates in Plastic Surgery will take the time to determine what
is best for you.
Scientific advances in the field of laser surgery and chemical
peels have made younger and smoother looking skin a reality. The different
procedures are offered in a gradual fashion to accomplish the best result
with the smallest recovery possible. The different procedures are discussed
below:
Laser resurfacing – The ultra pulse
laser can smooth facial wrinkle irregularities and blotchiness. It is
especially effective for frown lines around the mouth and lips and the
“crow’s feet” around the eyes. The procedure can be done under IV sedation
for your comfort and recovery is about 10 days, after which make-up can be
applied. This is the heaviest procedure which can produce excellent results
(as seen in the pictures below), but with a little longer recovery time.
Click on photos to see larger version in Photo Gallery.
Medium depth chemical peels include
TCA and/or Jessner’s peels. These procedures involve placing a chemical on
the face using Q-tips. The outer layer of old skin is removed, leaving a
clean refreshed layer to heal in about 5 days. This procedure in done in an
office setting with no anesthesia and be very effective for light wrinkles
and spots.
Light peels can be performed with
either a glycolic acid formulation or with Power Peel
(microdermabrasion) which utilizes tiny crystals to gently smooth the skin.
These peels require no downtime and provide a cumulative effect, so a nice
improvement in the skin tone and pores should be seen after 8-10
treatments. Then a light peel can be performed on an as-needed basis to
maintain the result.
The plastic surgeons at Associates in Plastic Surgery
will determine the best procedure for your needs and give you a nice,
natural improvement.
BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOS
Click on photos to see larger version in
Photo Gallery.
