INJECTABLES, FILLERS AND THEIR USAGE
(foreword by Dr. Beninger on fillers and injectables)
Facial cosmetic surgery includes different procedures to address the eyes and the forehead, the mid - face and the lower face and neck. A facelift can turn the clock back by about ten years, although you will still age, the reference point is different.
So intriguing is the concept of filling in lines and relaxing wrinkles that more and more people are interested in injectables and fillers. They have a great use with the younger patient population, who are looking for some improvement, but who don't wish or require surgery.
In older patients the injectables can give a better result than surgery alone. For instance, a surgical facelift doesn't address the lines around the mouth. Injectables can improve those so called sad lines and give a more relaxed appearance.
As a non surgical technique with minimal discomfort, injectables can correct a wide range of facial flaws, including frown lines between the brows, crow's feet around the eyes and forehead worry lines. Injectables add volume to localized areas, which may be a wrinkle, a hollow area or a depressed scar or any kind of skin depression.
The fillers range from temporary to permanent, with Collagen being the filler that lasts the least, about six weeks. Hyualuronic acid, a sugar molecule that's actually found in your skin, is another injectable and lasts anywhere from three months to a year.
Artecoll, made from some collagen in which tiny microscopic plastic beads are suspended is PERMANENT. The plastic material in Artecoll is the same material that has been used in the surgical field, including artificial joints, for the past half - century.
If the options are too confusing, I advise my patients to try the least permanent first. They all have their pros and cons and it's important to know all about each of them. You want to be sure of the look you are getting before committing to the most permanent injectable, so try something temporary first.
In any type of cosmetic enhancement there is often more than one way to treat the problem. There is no formula for a facelift, as we need to customize what we do for each individual's wants and needs.
Every procedure has its benefits and risks, its strengths and limitations. Some patients have expectations which are not realistic therefore, the goal should be improvement not perfection.
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Artecoll:
Incorporates unique technologies which allows them to reside in the dermis longer. Of all the injectables Artecoll is considered the most permanent. It works by stimulating the growth of natural collagen, a vital skin protein lost over time. Collagen adds volume and structure to the skin.
It take about 2 to 3 months to absorb the injected collagen and for your body to stimulate the production of it's own collagen.
Lines and wrinkles will diminish and the laughter lines are refined again. Depending on how your body ages, Artecoll's effects can last for ten years or longer.
Botox:
Botox works by temporarily paralyzing facial muscles that cause frown lines in the forehead and 'crows feet' and the laugh lines at the corner of the eyes. Injected into the forehead or around the eyes, for example, it takes away a patient's ability to scrunch up her eyes or draw her brows together. Although Botox is a protein derived from a bacteria. When used for the treatments described (above) extremely small amounts are injected (billionths of a gram). The treatment does not have any systemic effects, and even if this amount was to spread throughout the body via the blood stream, no effect would be noticed. One treatment will last about 4 months.
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Hyaluronic Acid:
Hyaluronic acid is formed by connecting sugar molecules into a long chain. The more sugar units joined together, the thicker the product becomes until a gel is formed. It is naturally found in the body. It binds with water to form an absorbent sponge. As a person ages, the amount of hyaluronic acid in the body decreases. This is most evident by comparing an infant's plump soft skin to an elderly person's dry thin skin. The risk of allergy to hyaluronic acid is extremely rare. An allergy skin test is not required. Most people will have some mild swelling for 1 to 12 hours, and occasionally a bruise may result from the needle puncture. Hyaluronic acid is the basis of the products Hylaform Fine Lines, Hylaform, Hylaform Plus, Restylane Fine Lines, Restylane, and Perlane.
Reviderm:
Is the ideal treatment for those who wish long lasting results, but not permanent results. It has a base of hyaluronic acid in which dextran beads are suspended. Dextran is a sugar molecule as well. The dextran beads are slower to be metabolized and promotes collagen formation, which helps to firm the skin giving it a more youthful appearance. This is a temporary treatment which may last as long as 9 months, depending upon the individual. You will need fewer injections over time to maintain a healthy vital appearance.
Dr. Beninger is experienced in all of these injectables and fillers and is happy to answer your questions.
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