DiscoverBeauty

Since the introduction of bovine collagen for treating wrinkles, significant advances have been made with soft tissue fillers. Currently the most popular fillers in the United States for skin creases and volume deficient areas are the hyaluronic acid fillers (HA). The two most popular of such fillers are Juvéderm® Ultra and Restylane®. Both fillers have the advantages of being well tolerated by the body, long lasting and natural appearing.

Radiesse is long lasting soft tissue filler that is a popular choice for facial volumizing treatments. It is FDA approved for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds (laugh lines). Radiesse is composed of Calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres suspended in a gel carrier and high purity water. When Radiesse is injected into tissue it provides an immediate 1:1 level of correction. Over the course of 3-6 months, the gel carrier is degraded and the remaining Radiesse particles act as a scaffold for new collagen formation. This process is thought to account for extended, “semi-permanent” correction.

In 1987, Dr. Jean Carruthers, a Vancouver oculoplastic surgeon, discovered that she could inject botulinum toxin A into muscles around the eye and temporarily smooth out wrinkles. Four years later, she and her husband Dr. Alastair Carruthers, a dermatologist, published their findings. This report launched what would become the most commonly performed aesthetic treatment.

A face lift is a procedure which lifts sagging tissues of the lower face and neck. It is a procedure that has been present for decades, and is constantly evolving and improving. The contemporary techniques focus on elevation of the deeper tissues of the face and neck, rather than simply pulling the skin tightly. Thus the results tend to be not only more natural appearing, but also longer lasting. Most patients appear more youthful and rested. This discussion will provide you with the important information you need to understand face lifting procedures.

Current approaches to facial rejuvenation focus on volume addition and mobilization in order to achieve a more youthful appearance. Techniques no longer focus on simply tightening or removing tissue. This is based on the clearer understanding of the underlying processes that occur with aging. Whereas in the past the assumption was that skin and soft tissue are subject primarily to the effects of gravity, it is now clear that three dimensional loss of volume occurs as well. This involves not only the loss of facial fat but also the bony skeletal framework. Increasing facial projection in volume deficient areas also improves facial balance and therefore creates a more pleasing appearance.

A face lift is a procedure that lifts the sagging skin and soft tissues of the lower face and neck. As such, patients who undergo face lifting nearly always also get a neck lift at the same time. Please see the face lifting content of the Discovery Beauty site for more information on face lifting. However, there are occasions in which it is the desire of the patient to have only the neck lifted.  This article will review the isolated neck lift – a less commonly performed procedure, but an important and effective one.

Dysport is an injectable drug used to lesson wrinkles on the face. It is made of botulinum toxin type A.  Dysport can reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles by constricting the movement of muscles that it is injected into. It is the same active agent as Botox, a very popular wrinkle reducer. Dysport was approved for use in the United States in 2009.

Commercially available fillers have seen recent increased popularity.  These office based treatments improve the appearance of unwanted wrinkles, folds, and areas of hollowing or deflation in the face.  The most commonly used fillers come in a paste or gel form and are introduced to the desired location under the skin surface through needle injection.   Collagen, hyaluronic acid, or hydroxyapatite are types of fillers available on the market.  These substances, which also naturally exist in the body, create a beneficial effect by direct addition of volume into specific areas.  A disadvantage of these products is the fact that they are reabsorbed by the body within 6-18 months after placement.  Although there are some non-absorbable, permanent products used, these have not gained the popularity of the absorbable fillers, likely due to concerns about the potential for long term or permanent complications.