Question: In looking to what I want in the New Year, I know that I want a fresher appearance, but I don't believe I'm ready for a surgical facelift. What do you suggest?
Answer: With the New Year fast approaching, many of my patients come to me because they want to look more rejuvenated. They want to eliminate the signs of aging that make them look tired, sad, or gaunt. These patients aren't quite ready for a surgical facelift - nor do they need one. Fortunately the non-surgical liquid lift is a good option for such patients. If you want to look your best in the coming year, a liquid lift may be the solution for you, too.
The Benefits of the Liquid Lift
The liquid lift is a minimally invasive, non-surgical anti-aging technique. Patients can achieve significant results with minimal downtime and minimal risk. That makes the liquid lift a convenient, cost-effective solution for many patients. You can get a liquid lift in your facial plastic surgeon's office in as little as 30 minutes for a fraction of the cost of traditional plastic surgery. With the proper maintenance, your results can last up to two years.
Noticeable results, less inhibitive cost, and minimal downtime make the liquid lift an excellent option for patients who want to look their very best without surgery. That’s why minimally invasive procedures like the liquid lift are growing in popularity with both doctors and patients.
What is a Liquid Lift?
A liquid lift is a non-surgical facelift achieved by using Botox® or Dysport® and facial fillers (a combination of Radiesse®, Juvéderm®, Restylane®). Traditional face lifts tighten the support layer of the face or SMAS and removes excess skin, a surgical procedure. A liquid lift restores volume by filling in deep lines and grooves below the skin using dermal fillers.
Botox® or Dysport® can produce a brow lift, reverse the down-turned mouth, diminish the appearance of crow’s feet, frown lines, forehead wrinkles, and neck bands. The filler is used to redefine the lips, restore volume, and diminish wrinkles on lips and around the mouth. Laugh lines and marionette lines are filled. Jowls are diminished. Volume is restored to the midface and cheeks. The result is a non-surgical facelift.
What You Should Know About the “Liquid Lift”
The liquid lift is an excellent tool for restoring natural facial contours and volume. However, like any cosmetic procedure, it isn’t right for everyone. For instance, a patient with sagging skin and a loss of elasticity may be a candidate for a traditional surgical facelift. The duration of the results achieved with a liquid facelift can last from a few months to two years depending on a variety of factors. In some cases, touch-up procedures may be required periodically to maintain optimal results. In contrast, a traditional facelift can offer more dramatic, longer lasting results.
Is the liquid lift the right option for you? Contact our office to learn more about the liquid lift and to discuss whether this minimally invasive, non-surgical anti-aging technique is the right one for you.
Question: I've seen some recent magazine articles about something called DOT Laser Skin Resurfacing to minimize the looks of acne scars. What exactly is it and how does it work?
Answer: DOT Therapy laser skin rejuvenation is an exciting cosmetic treatment that can noticeably reduce the appearance of acne and other scars. It also can improve the appearance of aged or sun-damaged skin and smooth wrinkles.
What is DOT Therapy Laser Skin Rejuvenation and How Does It Work?
Dermal Optical Thermolysis is performed using the SmartXide DOT™ laser system - one of the most sophisticated laser systems on the market. Your doctor will apply a grid of tiny scanned pulses of laser energy to your skin during the DOT Therapy procedure.
The laser creates thousands of microscopic holes in your skin. This causes immediate tightening of the skin and stimulates the growth of new collagen – essential to younger, fresher-looking skin. DOT Therapy improves the skin’s tone and texture and fights fine lines, deep wrinkles, and discoloration caused by the sun and acne scars. Excellent results can usually be achieved in a single 30-minute session.
The DOT CO2 laser is superior to older laser skin resurfacing techniques because the microscopic treated areas are surrounded by healthy skin, causing the treated skin to heal more quickly.
The Benefits of DOT Therapy
DOT Therapy laser skin rejuvenation decreases pigmentation and fine lines, lifts and tightens skin, and reduces pores. You can get beautiful, natural results with DOT laser therapy in a single 30-minute treatment. DOT Therapy has minimal downtime compared to traditional CO2 laser which is the gold standard for skin resurfacing.
What to Expect with DOT Therapy
Your doctor may use a topical anesthetic during the procedure for increased comfort. After the DOT Therapy procedure your skin will be red. A cold compress will be applied to alleviate discomfort. Over the next three or four days you may experience some peeling, similar to sunburn. Your doctor will give you a hydrating lotion to apply to the treated area. This will keep your skin moist and promote healing. Typically the skin returns to its normal appearance in seven to ten days. The results of your DOT Therapy procedure can last for years. In cases of severe wrinkling or deep acne scars a series of treatments may be required.
If your skin has been damaged by overexposure to the sun, acne scars, or environmental factors, DOT Therapy may be the non-surgical anti-aging solution for you. Contact Dr. Karsan, a qualified facial plastic surgeon, at 214-646-8777 to request a personal consultation to discuss how DOT Therapy laser skin resurfacing can improve the look and feel of your skin.
Posted Dec 15, 2011 by Dr. Karsan's Staff |
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Question: “Our company is planning a big corporate retreat in mid-January. I have to make a speech to all of our employees, including the CEO! I’m only 42, but the lines between my brows make me look much older than I am. It's shaking my confidence. Is there anything I can do without surgery?”
Answer: While your boss obviously thinks you are a wonderful representation of your company, it is important that you feel good about how you look when you are in the corporate spotlight.
If stubborn lines and wrinkles are threatening to put a damper your confidence, there is a non-surgical, minimally-invasive treatment that will put a smile on your face again.
Iron Out Lines and Wrinkles with Botox®
Celebrities have relied on Botox® to make them red-carpet-ready for nearly a decade. But they’re not the only people who use Botox® to get amazing results. Nearly 12 million Botox® Cosmetic procedures have been administered in the United States since its introduction to the market in 2002.
Fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, nose and mouth prematurely age the face. They occur as a natural part of the aging process. As we age the collagen in our skin breaks down. Production of new collagen slows. Environmental factors like cigarette smoke and sun exposure exacerbate the natural aging process. In this compromised state our skin is loses its ability to bounce back quickly. Over time repeated actions like frowning, squinting and smiling etch permanent lines in our faces.
What is Botox® and how does it work?
Botox® is a purified protein that is injected directly into facial muscles to improve the look of moderate-to-severe frown lines. It blocks nerve signals that prompt muscles to contract. This relaxes the muscles and reduces activity that causes lines to form between the brows.
You’ll see marked improvement in moderate-to-severe frown lines within days of your Botox® injection. Over time the depth of the wrinkle decreases and the progression of lines is curtailed. The results last three to four months.
Many patients favor Botox® because this non-surgical, minimally-invasive treatment is quick, convenient and affordable. Your facial plastic surgeon can administer treatment in her office during your lunch break. Botox® offers noticeable results and minimal downtime.
To get the best results, Botox® should be administered four weeks before your big speech.
Want to boost your confidence in time for your corporate event? Contact Dr. Karsan – a qualified facial plastic surgeon - at 214-646-8777 to discuss whether Botox® can help you look and feel your best.
Posted Dec 8, 2011 by Dr. Karsan's Staff |
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Do you want to look your very best this holiday season? This is a request I often get from patients who want to look vibrant and well-rested this holiday season. As we age a loss of volume can cause wrinkles and hollowing of skin. This makes the face look drawn, and gaunt. We begin to look tired, sad, or angry - no matter how we really feel.
A patient came to me recently because her skin had lost is youthful, supple appearance. She had some wrinkling and hollowing of the skin that is a typical effect of aging. She wanted to improve the look and feel of her skin, but felt she was too young for a facelift. Fortunately there are several proven, non-surgical anti-aging treatments currently available to those who want to rejuvenate the look of their skin.
Juvéderm®
Juvéderm® is an injectable gel filler made of hyaluronic acid - a naturally occurring sugar found in all mammals. Made by the creators of Botox® and approved by the FDA in June 2006, Juvéderm® helps to hydrate skin, smooth out wrinkles, and restore volume. A facial plastic surgeon injects Juvéderm® under the skin to smooth away wrinkles around the mouth and nose (smile lines, marionette lines, and vertical lines). Patients get smooth, natural-looking results that last for up to one year. Juvéderm® XC, now infused with lidocaine, offers patients a minimally-invasive procedure and improved comfort.
Restylane®
Restylane® is made from hyaluronic acid of non-animal origin. Hyaluronic acid is found throughout the body as well as in most other living organisms. It has many functions, from giving the skin elasticity to lubricating joints. Restylane® is well accepted by patients since it is a genetically engineered substance already found in the body.
Restylane® adds fullness to the skin to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. The results of Restylane can be seen instantly. Downtime is minimal with this non-surgical dermal filler. Your doctor can use Restylane® to restore facial contour, rejuvenate the skin and improve the look of frown lines, worry lines, crow’s feet, tired eyes and smoker’s lines. The results last six to twelve months, depending on the individual and the area treated.
Radiesse®
Youthful, healthy skin contains collagen. Collagen gives the skin volume and flexibility. As your skin ages the collagen in skin breaks down. The diminished volume of collagen in your skin results in wrinkles, facial lines and a loss of elasticity.
Radiesse® is an injectable filler made of calcium hydroxylapatite. It is used to replenish lost volume and fill moderate to severe facial wrinkles, folds and depressions around the eyes, nose and mouth. Its unique formulation stimulates the production of new collagen. The result is natural looking wrinkle correction that can last from six to twelve months, depending on the area treated.
What Fillers Can Do for You This Holiday Season
I used fillers to help the patient mentioned earlier to achieve beautiful, natural results. Why? Because I have used these products for many years with proven, consistent results. Fillers such as Juvéderm®, Restylane®, and Radiesse® can be used by a qualified plastic surgeon to:
- Elevate depressed scars
- Define and plump the lips
- Reduce lines on and around the lips
- Augment cheeks to give them a more youthful appearance
- Reduce the appearance of jowls and restore the jaw line
- Reduce hollowness around the eyes
- Reshape the nose (non-surgical nose job)
Are you experiencing loss of volume or hollowing that is causing you to look older, tired, sad, or angry? Contact Dr. Karsan, a qualified Facial plastic surgeon, at 214-646-8777 to learn how non-surgical, injectable fillers can turn back the clock and make you look more youthful, vibrant, and refreshed in this year’s holiday photos.
