Sunday, April 19, 2009

I am not ready for a facelift but want my jowls to go away. Will liposuction work?

Like the rest of the body, the face tends to drop with age. The face is deflated with loss of fat as we get older, and loss of collagen contributes to sagging. The skin and fat pads of the midface end up under the jawline, resulting in a jowl. Liposuction alone will help with excess fat, but make excess skin look worse. There are some tricks to minimize the appearance of the jowl. Fillers, like Juvederm or Restylane, can be injected in front of the jowl in a natural hollow (pre-jowl sulcus) to even out the jawline. Miminally invasive surgical options are sometimes helpful. A chin implant in someone with a small chin can pull on skin and smooth out the jowl. However, until a Spanx is invented for the face, a lift is still the best option to deal with the problem. Because there is extra skin and fat, a small amount of liposuction combined with a lift to take care of extra skin will give the most impressive results overall, and “last” around 10 years. A mini-lift is perfect for someone not quite ready for a full face and necklift, and improves the cheek, jawline and neck. Risks and downtime and minimized as well.

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The economy will come back to life soon

I would be remiss if I didn’t address the ever sinking economy and ways to save even at your plastic surgeon’s office! Even though we don’t have as much discretionary funds to play with, there are still ways to keep your face gorgeous and not break the bank (those that are still in business that is!).
1. Buy packages instead of individual treatments. The cost per treatment is discounted by 10-30%.
2. Look into a TCA Chemical Peel instead of expensive laser treatments such as Fraxel , Thermage or CO2. The TCA is still my favorite and the most reliable safe treatment to tighten skin, alleviate sun damage, lessen and even eliminate fine lines/wrinkles and basically rejuvenate your whole face. And, unlike laser treatments that can be up to 4 times the price, it is proven to work and has far less risk.
3. Surgery instead of minimally invasive procedures? Doesn’t sound as sexy, but surgical procedures will last a decade or more- compared to 6-12 months with minimally invasive surgery. The cost is about the same for a mini-lift as for a Threadlift, the results last longer and are very natural.
4. Care Credit. 18 months with NO interest sounds too good to be true- but isn’t. Better than any credit card deal you can get, financing up to 5 years is also an option.
5. Look for special discounts on fillers and Botox and pre-purchase. You can save hundreds with planning ahead!
The economy will come back to life soon, but until then a little planning can help your pocketbook!

What is a liquid facelift, and can it take care of my turkey gobbler?

A liquid facelift is not a new concept, but is the packaging of several highly effective anti-aging treatments that are complementary. The term usually refers to combing Botox, fillers and chemical peels to effectively treat the wrinkles in the forehead and around the eyes, fill in the tear trough hollow, smile folds and puppet lines, and return the skin to more youthful color, texture and appearance. These treatments typically have minimal downtime. Botox and fillers are temporary. The first permanent filler was recently introduced to the market. Chemical peels come in various strengths and the results are dependent on the depth of the peel. This is a perfect solution for someone who is not yet ready for the cost or downtime of a full facelift, or simply does not have enough facial aging to warrant surgery. The cost varies depending on how much correction is needed but typically is between $1000-2000. It is important, as always, to ensure experience in any treatment rendered to the face- you can save money on toilet paper instead.
Now the downsides- the liquid facelift is for the face, not the neck, and will not fix the turkey gobbler. Only a facelift will effectively treat this area in a natural, lasting way.
Enjoy the holidays- and keep the turkey gobbler on the plate!
Email questions to drwinslow@indyface.com- and keep reading!

What is your most common procedure during the hotter seasons?

Ahhh, summer- time for butterflies, sprinklers and, um, nose jobs? Well, it doesn’t have much of a ring but it’s true. Summer is one of the most popular times for patients to seek Rhinoplasty, or a surgical change to the appearance of the nose. Not to be confused with ‘Hollywood Septoplasty”, (which is what most stars claim as their surgical procedure when their nose magically shrinks!) A true Septoplasty only alters the middle dividing piece of cartilage, which often is crooked from trauma. Repair of the septum can improve breathing but does not make you look different. Refinement of the nasal cartilage or bone that lies on the outside wall of the nose WILL make you look different- and hopefully much better. A Rhinoplasty can narrow the nose, refine the tip, remove a hump, or bring the nose into better balance with facial features. Each face is unique, and the procedure recommended for each patient varies on the desired outcome, facial proportions and anatomy of the nose. It is imperative to find a surgeon with experience performing this delicate surgery that combines form with function; artistry with anatomy. It also is one of my favorite and most common surgeries! It is very rewarding to snazz up the schnoz. And, judging by the amazing number of “Septoplasties” in Hollywood, one of the most popular surgeries year-long in California!