The following "Guide to Cosmetic Plastic Surgery" is an overview to cosmetic plastic surgery and was published by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Inc.
Quick Wrinkle Treatment
There are many popular non-surgical injectable products, both natural and synthetic, approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Patients usually are pleased with the results of these minimally invasive procedures; however, they cannot correct facial sagging or achieve the same results as a facelift, eyelid surgery, brow lift or skin resurfacing.
Botulinum Toxin
Botulinum toxin is a biological toxin transformed into a therapeutic agent that is used to treat the type of lines and wrinkles caused by muscle contraction during facial expression such as frowning or squinting. One FDA-approved treatment for the temporary reduction of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows is BOTOX.
Fillers
A patient’s own fat cells can also make an excellent soft tissue filler material. Since it is harvested from your own body, an added benefit of a fat injection is that it is a natural substance and non-allergenic.
Injectable fillers are, to varying degrees, temporary treatments that need to be repeated to maintain results. For permanent results, soft tissue fillers that are surgically implanted under the skin are another option for some patients. Injectable wrinkle remedies are popular because they produce quick results.
“Dermal fillers” are safe and natural cosmetics which can be injected into the skin below wrinkles to level out the surface. These substances include hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite or poly L-lactic acid. Hyaluronic acid fillers are a crystal-clear gel that contains hyaluronic acid, naturally found in the skin and other tissues. The results are effective and long-lasting, up to six months to a year when injected into the skin. Fillers can be used to restore volume and fullness to correct wrinkles, lift facial contours, and enhance lips. Some FDA-approved hyaluronic acid dermal fillers for correcting facial lines and wrinkles include Restylane, Captique and Hylaform.
Another effective cosmetic filler product made up of a calcium material is called calcium hydroxylapatite; and is approved by the FDA. It reduces lines between the nose and mouth, and on the upper lip, and fills in deeper smile lines and frown lines. It can also diminish acne scars and renew fullness to the lips, restoring a youthful appearance. Results can last up to 2 years rather than several months like other fillers.
Poly L-lactic acid material, approved by the FDA, is an effective filler product which stimulates your body to produce its own new collagen and underlying tissue, filling in lines and wrinkles and creating a long-lasting, natural, more rejuvenated appearance. Sculptra is an FDA-approved product that provides a gradual and significant increase in skin thickness, improving the appearance of wrinkles, folds and sunken areas.
Illustrations from left to right: 1. Botulinum toxin is best suited for treating facial expression lines caused by muscle contraction. Common sites for injection include horizontal fore-head furrows, vertical lines between the eyebrows and “crow’s feet” around the eyes. 2. Injectable fillers such as fat help to diminish the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles by “plumping up” the soft tissues. There are several newer soft tissue fillers approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that offer long-lasting results. Your plastic surgeon can review the current options available with you.
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The Plastic Surgery Center of Manchester, New Hampshire specializes in cosmetic plastic surgery, including body lifts, breast enlargements, breast lifts, breast reductions, eyelid surgery, ear surgery, facelifts, fat grafting, liposuction, neck and chin surgery, rhinoplasty (nose surgery), surgery after massive weight loss, and tummy tucks. We also offer facial rejuvenation (chemical peels, dermabrasion, laser skin resurfacing, Obagi Blue Peels, Glycolic Peels, Microdermabrasion), injectables (Botox) and facial fillers (Radiesse and Restylane) and advanced skin care to patients from all over New England (Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts). While no responsible practitioner gives guarantees for the work they do on the human body, we can at least reassure you that you will receive the expertise and dedication of over 30 years in practice. Our patients become an important part of our family and we try to get to know each patient individually and customize their treatment to meet their desires.
