Have you ever flipped through a glossy celebrity magazine and wondered how “the beautiful people” manage to stay so beautiful? With glowing, healthy, natural-looking skin in their 30s, 40s, 50s and well beyond, it may seem as if they have access to a secret fountain of youth. As these celebrities have found, just because you are getting older doesn’t mean you have to look your age. Traditional cosmetic procedures for turning back the clock include such surgeries as facelifts, brow lifts and eyelid lifts. But technology has also given us several non-surgical wrinkle treatments for patients who want to achieve great results with less expense and minimal recovery time.
What Are Non-Surgical Options to Regain a Youthful Look?
At our San Francisco cosmetic surgery office, we can use modern advancements to help you look younger and more refreshed – without ever making a single incision or scar in your skin. Let’s focus on fillers and neurotoxins.
Over the past few years, dermal fillers have become one of the most popular options for non-surgical wrinkle treatments. These FDA-approved, biocompatible, non-animal-based fillers work with your body’s own processes to smooth irregularities and plump up areas that have lost volume due to the effects of aging.
Here are some of the minimally invasive dermal injectables on the market, as well as the benefits we can achieve with them.
Juvéderm® is a gel-based dermal filler that improves the appearance of lines and wrinkles, while creating the appearance of youthful volume. The product has a similar consistency to facial tissue, which is why many doctors are using it to restore contouring in the mid-face area. It is also an excellent plumper for those looking to reshape their lips.
Radiesse® helps boost the skin’s natural collagen production to reshape any facial areas that have begun to wrinkle or sag. This injectable is a safe, long-lasting and effective treatment for minimizing the appearance of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as “parentheses lines” around the mouth, as well as for correcting volume loss in the backs of the hands.
Restylane® is a gel-based hyaluronic acid filler that provides long-lasting results. Patients who need to correct deep facial lines and wrinkles or mild to moderate facial scarring, or who dream of plumper lips or added volume around their eyes, may opt for Restylane injections.
Sculptra® is a bio-compatible collagen stimulator. Rather than being a gel that dissolves over time, Sculptra works with your body to force it to produce new collagen. This long-lasting rejuvenation helps prevent wrinkles, drooping and loss of volume. Sculptra differs from other injectable products in that it gradually improves skin’s appearance over a series of treatments to create longer-lasting results.
Botox® and Dysport® and other neurotoxin injections minimize the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines in areas such as the forehead, between the eyebrows and the crows feet region. These treatments work by temporarily preventing the muscles in targeted areas from contracting. When used in conjunction with dermal fillers and other injectables, Botox and Dysport can create even longer-lasting results.
What Is a Tissue Transfer?
Another option for restoring lost volume in the lips or face uses an implant of your own body tissue. In this procedure, your cosmetic surgeon will remove tissue from an inconspicuous “donor” area of the body and implant it into the area to be rejuvenated. Tissue transfer is a safe and effective procedure that produces natural-looking results, which can also last longer than synthetic fillers. This can be your own fat or dermis, a layer of your own skin.
Who Should Consider Non-Surgical Wrinkle Treatments?
Our top priority with non-surgical wrinkle treatments is to create natural-looking results without an “over-injected” appearance.
The top candidates for non-surgical treatments are seeking the following results:
- Reduced wrinkles, creases and facial irregularities
- A younger, more refreshed, alert appearance
- Gentle lift of sagging facial features such as jowls, eyelids and the corners of the mouth
- Smoother, fuller lips
- Additional volume in areas that may look gaunt or sunken, such as cheeks and temples
- Restoration of natural facial contours
- Minimal downtime associated with recovery as compared to a surgical option
While a surgical facelift provides permanent results, injectables and neurotoxins do not. However, the results are still beneficial. Depending on the combination of products used and the facial area being treated, a “liquid facelift” can last up to two years.
Customizable Treatments for Each Patient’s Unique Needs
Board-certified cosmetic surgeon Dr. Michael Kulick takes a tailored approach to addressing each patient’s wants and needs. Before undergoing any treatments, every patient comes to our office for a thorough consultation, where we will discuss all your options and the goals. We will then recommend the best treatment or combination of treatments necessary to achieve your desired result.
If you’re dissatisfied with the effects aging has had on your appearance, and you’re seeking ways to start looking and feeling better, contact our San Francisco cosmetic surgery office to schedule a consultation appointment today.
Dr. Michael Kulick, MD is a leading board certified plastic surgeon in San Francisco, California. During an initial consultation, he’ll examine your individual anatomy, discuss all your options, and create a unique treatment plan along with any other necessary procedures. If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of plastic surgery and are looking for a qualified cosmetic surgeon, use this online form to request a consultation with Dr. Kulick or call 415-956-2550.
