How Fat Transfers Can Reduce Facial Aging

One of the reasons the face begins to change as you get older is the loss of volume under the skin. Temples become hollow, lips are thinner, the cheeks are sunken, and the skin can sag. Fat loss and reduction of collagen in the skin can create a skeletal appearance to the face which is equated with old age. Even a facelift does not always hide the skeletal appearance if too much volume is lost. Fat transfers can use fat from your own body to restore a more youthful appearance to the face without invasive surgery.

How Do Facial Fat Transfers Work?

There are many dermal fillers and implants that can add volume to the face, but none ofter the low risk and permanence of fat transfers. In this procedure, fat is removed from another area on the body, usually the abdomen or hip/thigh region through liposuction. The fat is purified to remove excess fluids and then can be injected into the face. Since the fat comes from your own body, there is no risk of an allergic reaction or rejection, which can occur with dermal fillers or implants.

Fat transfer injections can be placed in various areas to combat aging. Common spots that lose fat and increase aging in the face include the temples, checks and lips. When strategically placed by a talented plastic surgeon, fat transfers can help reshape the face and lips, reducing eye bags, wrinkles, a skeletal appearance and other signs of aging.

If you are interested in learning more about how fat transfers can help improve youthfulness in your face, contact a local plastic surgeon that offers this procedure at their clinic.

Posted on behalf of:
Kami Parsa, M.D.
Oculoplastic Surgery
465 N Roxbury Dr. Suite 1011
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 777-8880

5 Facial Aging Issues Dermal Fillers Can Treat

You do not need to accept that your face will continue to look older with every year. While no one can stop aging altogether, there are options to slow it down and minimize the impact on your face. Dermal fillers are one of the least invasive options that can give you almost immediate improvements for certain issues that appear on your face. Here are five aging issues that can be treated with dermal fillers.

  1. Concave temples. As you age, the temples lose volume, which can enhance wrinkling around the eyes and create an unbalanced shape to your face. Dermal fillers can add volume to the temples for a more youthful appearance.
  2. Eye bags. Do you look tired due to bags under your eyes? Often eye bags are due to lost fat on the upper cheeks – dermal fillers can mimic fat volume and reduce the appearance of eye bags and soften the look of the face.
  3. Facial folds. Frown and smile lines and folds can be smoothed with the use of dermal fillers, most commonly nasolabial and marionette lines.
  4. Thin lips. Lips lose volume as you get older. Get a more youthful pout with the addition of fillers in your lips.
  5. Lip wrinkles. Small lines around the lips are common as you get older. Dermal fillers designed for fine lines can smooth these lines for a smile that looks years younger.

Want to learn more about how dermal fillers can make you look younger and which options are best for you? Consult your local facial plastic surgeon that offers cosmetic injections for more information on dermal filler treatments.

Posted on behalf of:
Atlanta Plastic Surgery Specialists, P.C.
2001 Peacthree Road #630
Atlanta, GA 30309
(404) 355-3566

Difference Between Botox and Facial Fillers

If you have been considering seeking facial treatments to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, you may be debating between Botox and facial fillers. While both are injectable procedures that are safe and effective for wrinkle reduction, there is a distinct difference in how the injections work. Some people use one or the other, while others may use both. 

Botox Injections

Botox Cosmetics is a purified form of botulinum toxin which acts as a muscle relaxer, actually restricting the movement of certain facial muscles. It is those movements that create lines and wrinkles in the skin over many years. Botox is particularly effective on wrinkles and fine lines that appear when a person smiles or frowns. The injections are quick and virtually painless and the effects can last for 4-6 months. With continued use, Botox can also be used as a preventive measure to reduce the formation of wrinkles in areas where the injections are placed. 

Facial Fillers

Facial fillers also combat the appearance of wrinkles, but in a different way. These injections are used to plump or fill in lines and wrinkles, creating a smoother skin surface. The injections do not affect the muscles like Botox, only add volume to the skin in areas that are prone to deep lines. There are several different kinds of fillers, each with their own merits. Facial filler injections are also quick procedures that have almost no downtime, with effects lasting up to nine months. 

To determine which injectable treatment would be best for your needs, talk to a qualified plastic surgeon that offers both options. They can examine your skin and offer solutions that will give you the younger, smoother looking skin you desire.

Posted on behalf of
Kalos Facial Plastic Surgery LLC
5670 Peachtree Dunwoody Road Northeast #910
Atlanta, GA 30342
(404) 936-6665

Perlane Facial Injections

Perlane is a type of hyaluronic acid injection that is used to smooth moderate to severe facial folds and wrinkles. It is also a popular choice for women and men who wish to have fuller, more defined cheek bones. This injection has been found to be a safe dermal filler as it contains hyaluronic acid which is a naturally occurring substance in the human body. Results from Perlane treatments typically last for about six months, and because there is it is not an animal based substance allergy testing is not necessary before treatments can begin. 

For patients who choose to have Perlane facial injections, the substance will be injected into the skin with an ultra fine needle. Perlane will then begin working to plump up the skin and smooth away wrinkles and folds. Perlane works by attracting and binding water molecules in the skin to help maintain volume during the few months after the injections have been done. The Perlane substance is gradually broken down within the skin and eliminated by the body. 

The cost and amount of injections will vary from patient to patient based on their specific needs and desires. Tiny amounts of the Perlane substance are needed around the lips to diminish wrinkles, but for those who wish to plump up their cheek bones more Perlane substance is required and will, thus, cost more. Minor bruising and tenderness are common side effects of any dermal filler injection and have been reported by some patients. Talk to your cosmetic skin specialist to see if Perlane is the right choice for improving your facial features. 

Posted on behalf of Benjamin Stong, MD, Kalos Facial Plastic Surgery, LLC 

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Which Wrinkle Filler or Injectable Filler is Best For You?

If you’ve been contemplating a filler to smooth your wrinkles or decrease signs of aging, you might be a bit overwhelmed by the number of options available. In just a few short years, the market has expanded greatly and now there are treatments for every type and level of skin issues.  

In an attempt to help you find the right product to suit your needs, we have compiled a list of the most commonly used facial fillers, followed by a brief description: 

Botox: Botox is technically a muscle relaxer, not a filler. Made from botulinum toxin, it is generally used to smooth a furrowed brow or laugh lines around the mouth. Botox generally works well on patients with early signs of aging, lasting up to eight months before another treatment is needed. 

Dysport: For those who experience an allergic reaction to Botox, Dysport, a newer product made from a a different concentration of the same neurotoxin, is a good alternative. Studies have been inconclusive about whether Botox or Dysport produces better results. 

Juvederm: Used mainly to soft laugh lines, Juvederm belongs to a family of fillers made of hyaluronic acid, a natural substance found on the skin of mammals. Results usually last about a year. 

Restylane and Perlane: Also made from hyaluronic acid, these are other brands of the filler used to treat deep lines and wrinkles. Results last six months to one year. 

Radiesse: Radiesse belongs to yet another family of fillers distinguished by their synthetic ingredients, in this case, calcium hydroxylapatite. Radiesse is used to treat deep wrinkles, with long lasting results and possibly long term improvements. 

Sculptra: Another member of the synthetic filler family, Sculptra is generally used to treat HIV patients who have lost facial structure. Results last about a year. 

Belotero: Belotero is one of the newest fillers to be approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration. Part of the hyaluronic acid family, it is used to treat moderate to severe wrinkles with natural and long lasting results. It is sometimes used in conjunction with Botox.

Posted on behalf of Benjamin Stong, MD, Kalos Facial Plastic Surgery, LLC 

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Cosmetic Facial Rejuvenation

Want to look more youthful and vibrant but cosmetic surgery just doesn’t seem right for you? There are alternatives today that can also take years off of your appearance. We’re talking about “injectables,” which someone has coined, “facelift through a needle.” Thanks to continuing medical advances, many people today are seeking less invasive, non-surgical, quick fixes with little to no down time required. Injectables are substances that cosmetic and plastic surgeons use to lessen the appearance of facial wrinkles, furrows, worry lines, crow’s feet and scarring. 

If you are one among many who want a quick cosmetic procedure that can produce similar benefits as a facelift, without surgery, then you may want to talk with your local plastic surgeon about injectables, also called facial fillers. Injectables are safer and less expensive than a facelift, but patients must return periodically for additional treatments to maintain their new, rejuvenated, appearance. Of course, there are a variety of injectable materials available to correct a variety of facial needs. Some of the more commonly used, and most popular, injectables would include Botox, which is used to soften, not fill in, facial lines like forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet and laugh lines around the mouth. Collagen improves the appearance of the skin by filling out deep facial wrinkles, furrows and some types of scars, in addition to plumping up of the lips. Restylane is another popular injectable that adds fullness to the skin to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. 

There are more injectables available, some used to fill in and enhance sunken cheekbones or chins, or reduce the appearance of scars and lip augmentation. All of these products have varying times of immediate effect and lasting results. Your personal cosmetic surgeon will known what products are best to meet your needs and get the results you desire.

Liquid Face Lifts

The term liquid face lift refers to non-surgical facial rejuvenation using a combination of injectable facial fillers such as Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse, and Perlane in conjunction with a muscle paralytic like Botox or Dysport.  A liquid face lift is not a really a face lift at all in the traditional sense.  A true face lift is a surgical procedure that achieves permanent results by lifting and repositioning aging, sagging skin and soft tissue.

Instead of surgery, a liquid face lift uses injectables to achieve a more youthful appearance.  Botox or Dysport are used to reduce dynamic wrinkles and fillers are injected to reduce static wrinkles and to add volume.  Since it is a non-surgical procedure, a liquid face lift avoids the risk associated with a true surgical face lift.

A liquid face lift can achieve excellent results in the right patients.  It is especially well suited for younger patients who have only minor to moderate skin laxity and wrinkles.  These patients generally don’t need a surgical face lift.  Patients who need more extensive rejuvenation and skin tightening are likely to be disappointed in the results of a liquid face lift.

A liquid face lift is less expensive than a surgical face lift, has minimal downtime, and the patient will see immediate results.  However, unlike a surgical face lift, the results are only temporary and regular follow up treatments will be needed to maintain the results.  A surgical face lift will achieve more permanent results.

Your plastic surgeon can help you decide whether you are a good candidate for a liquid face lift or whether another procedure such as a surgical face lift would be more appropriate.

Facial Fillers

Whether it’s from exposure to the sun, years of laughter, smiling and other facial expressions, or due to the natural effects of the aging process, our skin gradually starts to sag and wrinkle.  While there are many excellent surgical procedures that can reverse the aging process, these are highly invasive, expensive, and require a significant recovery period.

Fortunately, there are non-surgical cosmetic procedures available that will give your skin a smoother, more youthful appearance.  Facial fillers, also referred to as facial injectables or dermal fillers, are injectable natural substances that provide excellent cosmetic results without the disadvantages of invasive surgical procedures.  While the effectiveness of facial fillers is not permanent, they can last anywhere from six months to a few years depending on the type of facial filler and the area injected.

 Facial fillers and treatments include:

  • Restalyne
  • Juvederm
  • Lip Augmentation
  • Radiesse
  • Artefill
  • Belotero
  • Sculptra
  • Collagen
  • Non-surgical Rhinoplasty

Instead of a surgical procedure, facial fillers are applied through a series of small injections in the affected area.  The procedure is performed in your plastic surgeon’s office without sedation.  Each treatment takes less than 30 minutes.  In some cases, more than one treatment session will be needed to achieve the desired results. There are very few side effects and little or no recovery time for most facial filler procedures.  Most patients can return to their daily activities immediately after the procedure which is why facial fillers are sometimes referred to as a “lunchtime facelift”.

For skin with a softer, more youthful appearance, non surgical lip augmentation or rhinoplasty, or other cosmetic procedure, talk to your facial plastic surgeon.  They will be happy to help you choose a facial filler procedure that’s right for you.

Juvederm XC

There is good news for those considering Juvederm treatments for facial lines and wrinkles, but were put off by reports of discomfort during the procedure.  Juvederm XC has been approved by the FDA and is now available.  Juvederm XC is just as effective as Juvederm, but it is specially formulated to minimize any discomfort.

As we age, fine lines and wrinkles start to form especially around our mouth, nose, and eyes.  Good skin care practices can delay the onset of fine lines and wrinkles, but eventually everyone gets them.  Traditional surgical techniques such as facelifts will eliminate those wrinkles, but there are nonsurgical alternatives to consider.

Facial fillers are a popular and effective non surgical procedure for smoothing facial wrinkles.  Facial fillers are natural, injectable  substances that reduce or eliminate wrinkles.  Juvederm is a very popular facial filler and for good reason. 

Small injections of Juvederm reverse the aging process by restoring hyaluronic acid to the epidermis or outer layer of the skin.  Hyaluronic acid is naturally present in the epidermis and tends to decrease with age.  Hyaluronic acid absorbs water and holds it in the skin which makes the skin appear and feel smooth.  As the level of hyaluronic acid naturally decreases, small wrinkles and lines begin to form. 

Juvederm has been proven effective in restoring the youthful appearance of skin for up to a year.  The procedure is simple and is performed at your doctor’s officer.  The main drawback to Juvederm has been the discomfort associated with the procedure.  Fortunately, the FDA recently approved the use of Juvederm XC which uses lidocane, the same numbing agent used by your dentist, to minimize any discomfort. 

Talk to your plastic surgeon to see if Juvederm XC is right for you.

Juvederm

Wrinkles happen to all of us.  Whether it is from sun exposure, aging, smoking, or simply smiling, as our skin gets older, it begins to lose some elasticity and moisture, and wrinkles appear. 

One of the ways to help restore this elasticity and moisture is through a series of tiny injections with facial fillers.  Juvederm is one type of facial filler that is commonly used to treat smile lines (those annoying parenthesis around your mouth!), marionette lines, and vertical lip lines. 

Juvederm is inserted into the folds of your skin with a small needle.  It is pre-mixed with a local anesthetic to help reduce any discomfort.  Juvederm works by restoring hylauronic acid to the area and is FDA approved to last for up to one year!  In fact, Juvederm is the only facial filler that does last for this long.

Juvederm is safe and effective, lasts longer than other facial fillers, and is safe to use in different color skin types without damage being done.  Juvederm is also available in different strengths, depending on the severity of your wrinkles, and is effective in diminishing the appearance of moderate to severe facial lines.

Juvederm is a simple, quick procedure.  After a Juvederm injection series, you should avoid drinking alcohol for 24 hours, limit exposure to the sun or tanning beds for 24 hours, and avoid strenuous exercise that day.  Although uncommon, you may have some swelling.  If this occurs, you may use an icepack for comfort.  Best of all, though, you will see immediate results!

Your physician will provide you with more specific instructions prior to the procedure.  To find out if facial filling with Juvederm is right for you, contact your local facial cosmetic surgeon today!