Question:
Will eyelid surgery fix any of the fine wrinkling around my eyes?
Answer:
Fine wrinkles will not be improved by eyelid surgery. An appropriate skincare regimen, resurfacing procedures such as peels and lasers, and finally Botox or Dysport injections, will better address fine wrinkles. Botox and Dysport do a fantastic job of eliminating the wrinkles around your eyes commonly referred to as “crow’s feet” as well as the wrinkles above and between the brows. Thank you very much for the question.
Question:
I am 59-year-old and thin and this makes my face seem rather hollowed out. I also think it makes me look older. Is there an injectable treatment that can fill in these hollowed areas?
Answer:
There are many fillers on the market that can fill in hollows in the face. This will give a younger and more restful appearance to the face. It will soften the face and most people will think you had a good nights sleep. I would really need to see photos and perform an examination to determine what the best option would be for you, as you may benefit from additional fillers as well. Please feel free to send any photos to Lisa, my Patient Care Coordinator at ana@spaldingplasticsurgery.com and I would be happy to evaluate them for you. In addition, please feel free to call the office at 310-275-2467 if you wish to schedule a consultation. Thank you very much for the question.
Question:
While I would love to have my lips enhanced, I am worried about possible complications. What type of filler do you use for lips and what are the problems associated with that filler? Can the filler be removed if the lips do not look right?
Answer:
A hyaluranic acid (HA) filler yields the best results for lip enhancement. There are many on the market including Juvederm and Restylane. The possible side effects include tenderness at the site of injection, swelling, bruising, lumpiness and a firm feeling. When performed properly by a highly skilled facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, risks associated with the injections are minimized. HA fillers can be injected with a substance to dissolve the product. It is best to perform the injections conservatively, and modify them as necessary. Thank you and I hope this helps answer your questions.
Question:
What is Restylane made out of? Are there any known side effects from this particular product?
Answer:
Restylane is primarily composed of a substance called hyaluronic acid which is a component of connective tissue found in people and animals that helps lubricate and cushion cells, keeping them from being damaged. Side effects may include bruising, swelling at the injection site, pain, redness, itching, discoloration and tenderness. These side affects will all usually resolve themselves shortly after the injection. Thank you very much for the question.
Question:
What is the recommended injectable filler for lip enhancement?
Answer:
Juvederm typically yields the best results for lip enhancement. Thank you, and I hope this helps.
Question:
I have been planning for a facelift this past year and just lost my job. I would like to proceed with a lower cost alternative. What types of non-surgical facelifts do you perform? Are the results similar to a total facelift?
Answer:
A liquid facelift may be performed with Radiesse, which is injectable calcium hydroxlapetite. There is also a surgical procedure called a mini-facelift, which is less invasive, has a shorter recovery period, and targets specific areas of the face. Selection of a procedure depends on your needs, and I would need to perform an examination to determine if you are a good candidate. Please let me know if you would like additional information, and feel free to send any photographs to Lisa, my Patient Care Coordinatior at ana@spaldingplasticsurgery.com. Thank you and best of luck to you.
Question:
I have vertical wrinkles around my mouth, mostly on my upper lip. I have smoked all my life and now I am seeing the results of this habit. These wrinkles look really bad when I use lipstick. What injectable filler would you recommend for my lip? How long do the effects last?
Answer:
There is really no great filler for vertical lines. Botox may help, as it will relax the muscle. Effects with Botox may last a number of months, but it really depends on how the individual responds and the amount of Botox that was injected. Thank you and I hope this answers your question.
Question:
I have seen some women who get wonderful results with Botox. Is there anything negative or harmful about receiving these injections regularly? I am interested in easing the wrinkling on my forehead and my squint lines.
Answer:
There is no major harm in receiving the injections regularly. Once injected, Botox may last from four weeks to around six months. The variation depends on how much was injected and how frequently you were having the injections in the past. Every individual is slightly different in the frequency at which they will need injections. As long as guidelines are followed and the injections are administered by a highly skilled facial plastic surgeon, there is no harm in receiving the injections regularly.
Question:
I am 47 and I have really bad marionette lines that have been bothering me for some time now. I would like to get these fixed. What are the best fillers for addressing this area and how long can I expect the results to last?
Answer:
For marionette lines, the hyaluronic acid filler Juvederm works very well. It is also possible to perform fat transfer where fat is harvested from another area and injected into the marionette lines. The results are more permanent with the fat transfers and the amount of time that it lasts varies. Hope this helps, and thank you for the question.