Got wrinkles? You are not alone. They are an inevitable part of life, and as we age they are bound to show up, usually in the most common places of the face. Whether as a result of premature aging, sun exposure, or smoking, wrinkles happen. The good news is that, while there is no fountain of youth, there are several procedures you can choose from that can help turn back and slow down the facial wrinkle clock. Today, there are several safe routes you can take toward ridding yourself of wrinkles and regaining the confident look you once had. Some of the more popular, minimally invasive options include:
Botox. This simple procedure is one of the most well-known options for wrinkles. Botox, Botulinum toxin, is a protein developed by bacteria. By injecting Botox into the facial wrinkles, especially those around the forehead, the muscle where the wrinkles are become paralyzed. This results in a decrease in existing wrinkles and a prevention of new ones for about 3-6 months, at which point the procedure can be done again.
Xeomin. The latest Botulinum toxin A like Botox and Dysport. FDA approved for glabellar lines, better known as "frown lines," Xeomin provides an alternative to Botox. Xeomin is produced by the Merz Aesthetics, the makers of Radiesse. Xeomin uses a similar number of units per area as Botox and has similar duration and time of onset. A major advantage with Xeomin is its lack of non-therapeutic accessory proteins. Without these accessory proteins, Xeomin should reduce the likelihood of developing antibodies against the botulinum toxin in the future. For certain patients who have found a decreased response to Botox in the past, they may find Xeomin to be the answer for their facial lines. Over 84,000 patients have been treated safely in 20 countries world-wide since Xeomin has been approved in Europe since 2005.
Restylane. This gel creates a soft look and revitalizes your skin's appearance. Restylane restores your natural beauty, especially in your cheeks and lips, by restoring volume and reducing imperfections. This method lasts approximately 6 months for facial lines. Restylane is made of hyaluronic acid which is a natural protein already in existence in the human body. Follow up sessions are recommended every 6 months when using it for skin rejuvenation.
Juvederm. If you have smile lines or wrinkles around the bottom of your nose, Juvederm may be the right option to consider. The gel adds hydration and volume to those areas, thereby reducing facial lines. This method lasts approximately 6 months. Juvederm, like Restylane, is also made of hyaluronic acid which is a completely natural protein found in the human body.
Radiesse. When seeking to rid your look of facial lines or wrinkles, especially in the nasal fold area, Radiesse may be the answer. This water-based gel eases wrinkles and folds, and may last up to a year. The effects of using this method vary, but can last a year or more. Radiesse is made of calcium hydroxylapatite which also is a natural human protein.
Sculptra Aesthetic. Composed of an injectable biocompatible material, poly-L-lactic acid, that stimulates the production of the skin's own collagen resulting in a gradual and very natural appearing restoration of facial volume. Dr. Halaas brings her aesthetic judgment and understanding of anatomy and aging to the use of Sulptra Aesthetic in the face. Dr.Halaas is an expert in the use of Sculptra, the predecessor to Sculptra Aesthetic, for facial volume restoration. Indeed, Dr. Halaas is the only New York & Tri-State area facial plastic surgeon who is a Physician Trainer responsible for training other plastic surgeons and dermatologists on the use of Sculptra Aesthetic. The gradual replacement of collagen in the area of treatment enables the natural appearing restoration of youthful facial contours. Generally, a series of 2-3 treatments at 4-week intervals are necessary to achieve the desired effect. The youthful appearance that results from the treatment can last up to 3 years at which time maintenance treatments will be necessary.
BELOTERO Balance® is the latest dermal filler approved by the FDA for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. This new filler is a hyaluronic acid-based cohesive gel dermal filler designed to deliver natural-looking results with little recovery time. BELOTERO Balance® is a soft dermal filler that is designed to achieve meaningful results by integrating into facial skin tissue," said Dr. Yael Halaas. "With BELOTERO Balance®, patients are able to see a visible softening in their lines for a natural look that lasts." In a recent study, BELOTERO Balance® Dermal Filler demonstrated greater results than a typical bovine based collagen filler for the correction of moderate to severe nasolabial fold lines.
Getting rid of lines, wrinkles and other facial blemishes is a breeze when you go with a minimally invasive procedure designed to address those problem areas. For some people, a combination of fillers may create the most effective result. Call Dr. Halaas today to determine the best route for you to achieve the results you have been waiting for. She is a board-certified surgeon who can set you safely on the path to a more confident look. All the fillers she uses are FDA approved and come directly from the manufacturer, which provides the best level of safety.
