Dr. Karsan - Facial Plastic Surgeon

A Liquid Lift for a Fresh New Year's Look

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.

New Drug Approved to Fight Frown Lines

The drug, Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA) manufactured by Merz Pharmaceuticals, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of severe frown lines in July 2011.  Like Botox® and Dysport, Xeomin is a botulinum toxin type A product.  Xeomin was already FDA approved in 2010 for the treatment of cervical dystonia (which causes abnormal neck pain and movements) and blepharospasm (involuntary blinking or spasm of the eyelids) in adults. Nearly 85,000 people in 20 countries around the world have used Xeomin. The drug is approved under the brand name Bocouture in 14 European countries including France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom.

According to the manufacturer, the recent FDA approval is based on two U.S. clinical trials where patients saw significant improvement in the appearance of frown lines within thirty days of injection. 

Xeomin works in much the same way that Botox® and Dysport do. The drug is injected by a skilled dermatologist or board-certified facial plastic surgeon at the site of wrinkles.  Xeomin relaxes muscles involved in repetitive facial movements by blocking the nerve signals that trigger muscle movement. The full effects of Xeomin take approximately one week to manifest but last for up to six months.

Xeomin bears a distinct difference from its predecessors, Botox® and Dysport. Xeomin is "naked" -- meaning there are no additives. It is simply botulinum toxin type A. This is significant because the body creates antibodies in an effort to attack what it considers "foreign invaders" in the blood stream. If the body creates antibodies to a drug - like Xeomin - it will reduce its effectiveness. Since there are no additives in Xeomin, it may decrease the likelihood of a patient developing antibodies to the drug.

Xeomin, Botox® and Dysport should not be used alternately. Consult with a qualified cosmetic surgeon to decide which injectable cosmetic treatment for severe frown lines would be best for you. Xeomin is expected to be available nationwide in the spring of 2012. To learn more about Xeomin, Botox® or other similar drugs, contact Dr. Karsan, a Dallas-based, board-certified facial plastic surgeon at 214-646-8777 to request your personal consultation.

Will Botox Work for Me?

I’m only 42 and in great shape, but because of crow's feet, I am often told I look much older.  My older sister just had Botox - and now she looks younger than me! What exactly is Botox? And will it work for me?

The deep creases and wrinkles on the face are a result of frequent muscle contractions that eventually create a wrinkled appearance between the brows, on the forehead and around the eyes.  Perhaps you’ve been considering Botox® or Dysport®, but you aren’t sure if they are right for you.  Here’s what you need to know about these non-surgical, minimally invasive anti-aging treatments.

What are Botox® and Dysport® and How Do They Work?

• Botox® and Dysport® are purified proteins.
• They are injected directly into facial muscles by a healthcare professional in a simple, non-surgical procedure. Deep creases and wrinkles on the face are a result of frequent muscle contractions like laughing, smiling, frowning or squinting.
• Botox® and Dysport® block the nerve signals that would normally tell your muscles to contract. This relaxes the muscles and reduces muscle activity that causes moderate-to-severe lines to form between the brows and other areas of the face. The depth of the wrinkle decreases.
• Over time the progression of lines is minimized.

Patients I've treated with Botox® and Dysport® experience a brow lift, a reduction in frown lines, crow's feet, neck bands, and bunny lines. They no longer looked tired or angry. Instead they look rejuvenated and refreshed. Best of all, the results are completely natural.

The Benefits of Botox® and Dysport®

Botox® and Dysport® offer patients almost immediate noticeable results with virtually no recovery time.

• The treatment is convenient. Your facial plastic surgeon can administer Botox® or Dysport® in his or her office in just minutes.
• After treatment you should see marked improvement in moderate-to-severe frown and other facial wrinkles within days of treatment, with continual improvement for up to fourteen days.
• The effects of Botox® and Dysport® typically last three to four months.  With repeated use patients require less frequent  injections.

What You Need to Know About Botox® and Dysport®

Botox® and Dysport® are excellent anti-aging solutions for patients who want to reduce the look of frown lines, crows feet, forehead lines, neck bands, achieve a brow lift non-surgically, and reverse the down-turned mouth.  However, allergies to any of the ingredients contained in Botox® and Dysport® or certain medical conditions (such as ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease, asthma or emphysema) may preclude you from being a candidate for Botox® or Dysport®.

To find out if Botox® or Dysport® are right for you contact Dr. Karsan, a qualified facial plastic surgeon at 214-646-8777 to request a personal consultation.