The most common things a plastic surgeon hears is, “what can you do for me?” In our opinion, this is best addressed by explaining the some of the cause and effect relationships that dictate how old or attractive we appear to others.
Aging is basically just a build up of genetic errors in our cells when they reproduce. As we get older, the number of errors in cell reproduction increases, while our ability to recover from accumulated cell damage decreases. Genetics play a role in this process, but the number of errors is dramatically increased by environmental factors like sun exposure, alcohol and tobacco abuse, antibiotics, and even stress.
Sun exposure before age 20 however, is actually the leading cause of skin discoloration and of wrinkle formation later in life. Early sun related aging is characterized by the breakdown of elastic fiber proteins, which cause skin to lose its strength, making it more likely to sag and wrinkle. For this reason we feel that sunscreen should be used as a first line of defense for every person interested in maintaining a more youthful appearance. Keep in mind however that sunscreen works through a chemical effect, which is generally lost after two hours. If you don’t re-apply, you aren’t protected.
At any age, skin discolorations and shadows created by the peaks and valleys of fine lines and wrinkles are the leading factors in the way age and beauty are determined by others. In fact, an even skin tone offers others strong instinctual clues about a person’s health and reproductive capability. Research actually shows that an uneven or blotchy skin tone can add 10 to 12 years to a person’s age.
For this reason, we feel that peels, lasers, and IPL treatments offer a great means for addressing a variety of age related issues which can be seen in the following images.
Chemical peels come in a wide variety of strengths. As a result, there is a variety of considerations to be made in a risk and reward trade off. Generally OTC peels will have very little downtime, and patients can expect a gradual 10% to 15% improvement in complexion per peel treatments. Stronger peels like 35% TCA peels however, can give a near 100% improvement in complexion if patients have no aversion to a two week downtime. Peel prices are also a great bang for the buck with most of our treatments less than $500.
Most patients however, choose to treat complexion issues with laser and IPL, as results and downtime can be customized to individual needs. These treatments offer outstanding results with far less recover than any other option for improving complexion issues, and are often done in packages to mitigate downtime almost entirely. Please see our laser pricing list for more information.
Laser Genesis
Genesis is a gentle, but effective laser treatment that sets the gold standard for treating redness. Genesis also targets excess redness, large pores, uneven skin texture, and fine lines and wrinkles. There is minimal discomfort with treatment and only a small amount of temporary redness and swelling after the treatment, so there is no real downtime. A series of 3-4 treatments is recommended for the best result, and results from treatment will continue to improve for several months due to collagen production in the skin.
Individual results from procedures cannot be guaranteed, and may vary between patients.
IPL (Intense Pulse Light)
This IPL (intense pulsed light) treatment addresses uneven pigmentation, redness, sun damage, and surface imperfections on the face and upper body, including the neck, chest, arms, and hands. The treatment takes less than one hour (including time to apply numbing cream, if desired). Dark spots will temporarily darken and then flake off, with improvement in skin within 1-2 weeks and the full benefit after a few months.
Individual results from procedures cannot be guaranteed, and may vary between patients.
Ultherapy Skin Tightening
Ultherapy lifts and tightens sagging skin and jowls without the downtime and risks of surgery. We often use Ultherapy Skin Tightening in combination with other procedures and medical-grade products as part of a non-surgical facial rejuvenation. Combining treatments like this is an important part of our skilled and artful layering approach.
Individual results from procedures cannot be guaranteed, and may vary between patients.
Co2 Resurfacing Laser
Renew sun damaged and wrinkled skin: Patients of any age with sun damage, uneven skin texture, brown spots or wrinkles will benefit from a physician-directed CO2 Resurfacing Treatment. Resurfacing creates smooth skin texture and softens fine lines and wrinkles on the face, neck, upper chest and hands. Your CO2 Resurfacing treatment will result in luminous, smooth and clear skin.
Individual results from procedures cannot be guaranteed, and may vary between patients.
Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is a fairly quick microinjection procedure that does not require any pain medication or anesthesia. Abnormal veins are treated by injecting a solution called a sclerosant, sealing the vein off from the rest of the vein network in your leg, allowing the body to naturally redirect the blood flow to healthy veins.
Individual results from procedures cannot be guaranteed, and may vary between patients.
Complexion issues however are only part of the story when it comes to aging. Age 14 to 24 years the period of life when the face is considered to be at its “attractive peak”. The bony structure in the face is strong and supportive, the soft tissues are plump, and the skin is tight and even in tone. This is actually quite important in helping us find mates. Unfortunately, bone mass and skin collagen begin to decline after age 24, and this decline becomes more rapid after menopause due to the significant effect of low estrogen.
Twenty’s
- Motor wrinkles (from moving your facial muscles) form, first in the brow.
- Years of squinting may lead to the appearance of crow’s feet.
- Hormonal changes and sun exposure can lead to skin discoloration.
- Prevent sun damage with a good SPF and avoidance of sun between the hours of 10 and 2.
- Develop a skin care regimen to control breakouts and minimize pigmentation and fine lines.
- Use Retinol products 1-2 times per week.
- Consider a peel if you have a significant amount of sun damage.
Thirty’s
- Lines begin to deepen in areas of expression (glabella, crow’s feet).
- Fine lines and wrinkles become more noticeable.
- Broken blood vessels develop.
- Nasal folds begin to form and cheeks flatten slightly.
- Regular facials including microdermabrasion and exfoliation will help keep skin looking bright and refreshed.
- Use Retinol products 3-4 times weekly to increase collagen levels, shed dead skin cells, minimize pore size, and decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Chemical peels or laser can be used to treat discoloration as well as fine lines and wrinkles.
- Neuromuscular agents (like Botox or Dysport) and fillers (like Sculptra, Juvederm, or Restylane) can be used to treat wrinkles and folds.
Forty’s
- Lines begin to appear around the upper lip, as muscle motion continues to damage collagen and decreased fat under the skin makes wrinkles even more pronounced.
- Lines on the forehead, around the eyes, and around the mouth deepen, especially for those who worshipped the sun or smoked.
- Excess eyelid skin develops as the brow settles, the eye socket begins to shrink, and skin elasticity decreases.
- Decreased volume in the cheeks changes the appearance of the lower eyelid, causing a tired appearance
- Increase frequency of Retinol products and add a night cream and anti-oxidant skin care product.
- Address lines and wrinkles around the mouth with a combination of Botox, filler, and peels or laser.
Fifties
- Loss of estrogen makes skin drier, leading to more lines and wrinkles.
- Jowls and sagging of the neck develop.
- Earlobes become larger.
- Increase Retinol use to daily.
- Based on your anatomy and skin quality, you can attempt laser tightening or elect for surgical tightening, including facelift and necklift.
- Volumizing with fillers is essential to avoiding a “pulled” look.
- Muscle motion causes damage to the collagen in the skin, which eventually causes wrinkles to occur around the eyes and mouth, across the forehead, and near the nose.
- The cheeks sag inferiorly resulting the appearance of jowls and changing the face shape from an inverted triangle to more of a square.
- Corners of the mouth move inferiorly resulting in frown lines and elongation of the upper lip.
- The tissue around the eyes sag inferiorly revealing the tear trough and lower eye bags.
- Upper and lower eyelids sag as well as pull away form the eyeball.
- The tissue of the forehead sags, creating wrinkles and dropping the eyebrows downward, giving them a flatter, heavier appearance
- Nose may elongate making the tip more bulbous and sagging. A dorsal hump may also form.
Ultimately, most patients have concerns about sagging skin, fine lines, wrinkles, red spots and/or brown spots on the skin, complexion issues, veins, cellulite, and hair loss. The great news is that all of these things can be treated very effectively without surgery. This page will help you better understand the kinds of non-surgical treatments that are available in our practice, as well as give you a better understanding of the concerns that can be addressed with these procedures.
Neurotoxins
Neurotoxins are most commonly used for treating fine lines around the eyes and forehead. Results set in over 3 to 5 days, and generally last 3 – 6 months. Patients commonly use neurotoxins beginning as early as 25 years old, and continue use through their lifetime. Neurotoxins can also be injected in the under arms and other areas to reduce sweating.
Individual results from procedures cannot be guaranteed, and may vary between patients.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are used for treating deeper lines and folds in the skin around the mouth, in the lips, cheeks, hands, and even to redefine the jaw line. Results are seen immediately, and can last anywhere between 9 – 12 months. Patients commonly use dermal fillers beginning as early as 30 years old, and continue use through their lifetime.
Ultherapy
Ultherapy uses ultrasound to stimulate new collagen production in the skin’s foundation, resulting in a clinically significant lift of the tissue over 2-3 months. The treatment jumpstarts the natural process, known as neocollagenesis, which produces collagen. Ultherapy is actually the only FDA-cleared procedure to non-invasively lift the eyebrow, neck, under-chin, and to improve décolletage lines and wrinkles. Ultherapy is also the only non-invasive treatment cleared by the FDA to actually lift skin. Face and neck procedures typically take 60-90 minutes, and chest treatments can be completed in as little as 30 minutes.
Individual results from procedures cannot be guaranteed, and may vary between patients.
PRP
Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is a concentrated blood sample that contains high levels of platelets, a critical component of the wound healing process. Platelets contain growth factors that are responsible for stimulating tissue generation and repair. Growth factors derived from platelets are responsible for soft tissue repair, bone regeneration, development of new blood vessels, and stimulation of the wound healing process.
Cellfina
Cellfina is an FDA-cleared, minimally invasive, one-time procedure that is clinically proven to treat the primary structural cause of cellulite for results lasting three years or longer. Cellfina™ treats the primary structural cause of cellulite for a smooth and healthy look that gives patients the confidence wear a bathing suit and higher hemlines.
Individual results from procedures cannot be guaranteed, and may vary between patients.
Kybella
KYBELLA® is an injectable medication used in adults to improve the appearance and profile of moderate to severe fat below the chin (submental fat), also called “double chin.” Submental fullness, sometimes referred to as “double chin”, is a common yet undertreated facial aesthetic condition. It can impact a broad range of adults, including both men and women, and can be influenced by several factors such as aging, genetics and weight gain, and is often resistant to diet and exercise alone.
Individual results from procedures cannot be guaranteed, and may vary between patients.
Neograft
The best candidates for NeoGraft are men and women who suffer from genetic hair loss. NeoGraft is the least invasive procedure for hair transplantation and there is minimal down time. Many patients resume normal daily activities after only a few days. It’s quick, easy and best of all it’s your own natural hair.