Facial Rejuvenation Options
Patients have many options to enhance their face. These include Chemical Peels, Fillers,Botox and Face Lifts.
Face lift (Plastic Surgery):
• What is it?
This is surgical tightening of the skin of the cheeks, jowls, chin and neck areas. It also can include the forehead and eye area
• How to get it
Performed by a plastic surgeon
• Costs
Face and neck lift $7000 to $10,000. Add $3400 to $4000 for plastic surgery around the eye area
• Advantages
1) It's the only way to eliminate to loose skin
2) It is the only way to treat loose neck skin
3) It can erase wrinkles
• Disadvantages
1) There is risk of scarring, facial numbness or weakness
2) Healing can take longer and be more painful than some other treatments
3) Bruising is likely
4) It's expensive
Radiesse Injections:
• What is it?
A filler that consists of smooth calcium hydroxylate (CaHa) microspheres that are suspended in a water-based gel carrier. Over time, as the patient's own soft tissue replaces the gel carrier, the newly formed collagen provides the desired long-term effect. These unique advantages make RADIESSE filler treatments the ideal choice to fill moderate to severe wrinkles and folds such as nasolabial folds or marionette lines
• How to get it
Through a dermatologist or plastic surgeon
• Cost
About for the 1.5 cc injection it will be $685
• Advantages
1) It can help diminish & fill moderate to severe wrinkles and folds without surgery
2) It is effective in many facial areas-especially around the face and body with out the need for surgery.Including the back of the hand.
3) The results are almost immediate. The slight swelling lasts only several days
4) It's results are the longest lasting 12 months
• Disadvantages
1) It must be repeated every 10 to 14 months
2) There's a small risk (about 1-2%) of allergic reaction. No allergic testing is recommended.
Restylane and Juvederm :
• What is it?
Both products are made of Hyaluronic acide a naturally occuring substance in your skin. They are both used to injected into shallow lines and creases of the face
• How to get it
Through a dermatologist or plastic surgeon
• Cost
About $400 per 1cc injection
• Advantages
1) It can help diminish fine wrinkles without surgery
2) It is effective in many facial areas-especially around the lips-where surgery is less effective
3) The results are almost immediate. The slight swelling lasts only several days
4) It's favorite temporary treatment for special occasions, such as class reunions or weddings
• Disadvantages
1) It must be repeated every Four to six months
2) There's a small risk (about 1-2%) of allergic reaction. There is no allergy testing is recommended before treatment.
3) It's expensive considering it lasts only 4 to 6 months
Renova (Retin-A):
• What is it?
Renova is a new, FDA approved, emollient form of Retin-A (retinoic acid-a Vitamin A derivative and acne medication). Renova is supposed to promote sloughing of dead cells, speed the turnover of cells fade age spots.
• How to get it
Must be prescribed by a doctor
• Cost
A 40 gram tube (which lasts four to six months) costs about $200
• Advantages
1) It's relatively inexpensive
2) It's a low-risk, do-it-yourself treatment
3) It may help diminish fine lines and wrinkles
4) It may reverse sun damage of the skin
5) It may help even out pigmentation
• Disadvantages
1) It takes months to smooth and plump aging skin
2) It initially causes redness, dryness, itching and peeling of the skin
3) It increases sun sensitivity
4) When treatment is stopped, any improvements may gradually diminish
5) The emollient preparation may cause acne breakouts
Chemical Peels:
• What is it?
Chemical solutions are applied to the face to strip away the top layers and stimulate collagen growth
• How to get it?
From, or under the direction, of a physician
• Advantages
1) It improves skin texture
2) Deeper peels can remove fine lines
• Disadvantages
1) Swelling, crusting, peeling can occur for weeks afterward it's a more uncomfortable healing process than some other treatments
2) There is a risk of infection and scarring
3) Occasionally, there are permanent pigmentary changes
Dermabrasion:
• What is it?
Dermabrasion is a "sand papering" or scraping of the top skin layer of the face
• How to get it
From a physician
• Costs
Approximately $3500
• Advantages
1) It can help erase fine lines-especially those around the mouth
2) It can be longer-lasting than some other treatments
• Disadvantages
1) It can be an imprecise treatment too little or too much tissue can be removed
2) There's risk of infection and scarring
3) It's a very bloody procedure
4) it often takes longer to heal than other treatments
Laser resurfacing:
• What is it?
Laser heat is delivered in rapid bursts to vaporize aged and sun-damaged skin
• How to get it
It is performed by a physician-but not limited to dermatologists and plastic surgeons
• Costs
About $6000 for full-face resurfacing
• Advantages
1) Skin heals enough in seven to 10 days that the patient could wear makeup
2) The collagen under the skin contracts, resulting in some skin tightening
3) Fine wrinkles may disappear and deep lines may be softened
4) There is less potential for scarring than other treatments (peels and dermabrasion).
5) There is no bleeding or bruising
6) The results lasts for about five ten years
• Disadvantages
1) Skin redness may last for up to three months
2) The possibility of some pigment change exists
3) Sun sensitivity is increased
4) It doesn't help sagging facial muscles
5) Doctors aren't required to be certified in this treatment, no all may have enough experience with the treatment
6) The long-term effects of laser use on wrinkles are still unknown