The telltale signs are often more visible on areas of the face than any other part of the body. The plastic surgery industry is continually expanding its selection of youth-enhancing procedures to include a wide variety of options for consumers eager for facial rejuvenation.
“Twenty years ago, there was only one remedy for facial aging, [facelifts],” said Dr. Stephan Baker, a Coral Gables plastic surgeon and spokesman for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. “Today we have a whole spectrum of how we can approach aging.”
While injectable dermal fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane, or muscle relaxers such as Dysport and Botox have become irrefutably popular, cutting edge procedures such as injecting fat or stem cells, and ultrasound technology are making waves as effective facial rejuvenation tools.
According to Miami plastic surgeon, Dr. Constantino Mendieta, fat grafting can be a natural way to add volume to an aging face.
The process first involves removing a small amount of fat from a patient’s inner knees or lower stomach. The fat is then combined with a small amount of blood from the patient which aids in the long-term survival of the fat. The fat can then be injected into several facial areas include the lips, nasolabial folds (skin folds that run from the corners of the mouth to each side of the nose), the hollows of the eyes or the jaw line.
Another Miami plastic surgeon, Dr. Leonard Tachmes, is utilizing a similar technique to inject a patient’s own stem cells into his or her face. Full results can take up to a month, but Tachmes claims that the stem cells “stimulate increased blood supply to the area, and stimulate collagen formation to make the face look fuller and healthier.” It is important to note that stem cells are not yet a scientifically proven method of facial rejuvenation.
Another new youth-enhancing method to recently hit the Miami market is Ulthera, an FDA approved device that utilizes ultrasound waves to tighten the jowls of the face. Heat produced by the ultrasound waves cause collagen in the face to shrink, ultimately causing the skin to tighten. Results can take up to three months.
“Collagen is like a spring — like a helix, and whenever you heat it, it shortens the length of the collagen which causes tightening of the skin,” says Dr. Leslie Baumann, chief executive of the Baumann Cosmetic and Research Institute of Miami Beach.
Whether you’re electing to undergo well-known facial rejuvenation procedures such as Botox or Juvederm, or you’re choosing a newer procedure, make sure to do your research first. A savvy consumer should always seek out a surgeon with significant experience in the target area.
Find more information on facial rejuvenation procedures such as Botox and Juvederm in New Haven.
