Non-Surgical Facial Rejuvenation
In the past, facial rejuvenation involved surgical procedures designed to tighten the skin. Nowadays, the focus is more preventative in nature, with many patients opting for non-surgical treatment involving injectable relaxers or fillers.
What Kinds of Non-Surgical Facial Rejuvenation Treatments Are Available?
Injectable relaxers and fillers are the most common non-surgical injection treatments to get the younger looking skin you desire. Injectable fillers fill in lines and wrinkles to add volume to facial features while injectable relaxers work by relaxing the muscles. During your consultation appointment, your doctor will discuss the different types and their effective uses based on your unique goals.
Injectable Relaxers
According to statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, injection relaxers are the most popular minimally-invasive cosmetic procedure available. In fact, last year, Americans underwent more than seven million treatments.
Injections are primarily used to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles by blocking signals from your nerves to your muscles, preventing them from contracting. This causes the wrinkles to relax and soften. They are most useful in treating:
- Forehead lines
- Crow’s feet
- Frown lines
- Excessive sweating
Results usually take a few days to appear and will last anywhere from three to 12 months. Maintenance injections are needed if you wish to continue treatment beyond the initial dose.
The facial plastics team will discuss all potential side effects and considerations with you during your consultation. At ENT of Georgia’s Cartersville location, the following product is available to our patients:
Xeomin
Xeomin blocks the release of chemicals that cause facial muscles to contract; ultimately, this leads to softened frown lines.
Treatment takes 10 to 20 minutes; no anesthesia is required. You will see results from Xeomin three to four days after the injection. The maximum effects occur around day 30.
Injectable Fillers
Soft tissue fillers are injected into or under the skin to give you a more youthful appearance. They fill in lines and wrinkles that are the result of aging, smoking, sun exposure and gravity. The typical procedure takes less than thirty minutes and targets the following areas of the face:
- Lips
- Hollow areas
- Scars
- Cheekbones
- Fine lines
- Wrinkles around the nose, mouth, eyes and brow
Injectable wrinkle fillers use substances that fill in lines and creases and add volume to facial features. They can be used to plump up cheeks and lips, soften facial features and reduce saggy skin. Often, they are used in conjunction with other skin treatment procedures (e.g., facelifts and Botox injections).
A variety of soft tissue fillers for facial rejuvenation are available based on your needs and preferences. There are three main categories: fat transfers, hyaluronic acids and bio-stimulating products.
Fat transfer or autologous (derived from the body) implants use the patient’s own fat. The procedure is safe and inexpensive, and there’s an abundant supply.
Hyaluronic acids are naturally occurring tissue compounds that help to lubricate the tissues and are a natural component of healthy, youthful skin. Results are instantaneous. There are a large and growing number of these safe and reliable products available.
Bio-stimulating products are a popular alternative due to their cost-effectiveness and long-term results – many last for at least a year, and some offer permanent results.
The facial plastics team will discuss all potential side effects and considerations with you during your consultation. At ENT of Georgia’s Cartersville location, the following product is available to our patients:
Restylane
Restylane is also a family of hyaluronic based injectable fillers used to treat facial wrinkles and folds and add fullness to your lips. Treatment with Restylane usually lasts 6-12 months depending on the patient’s lifestyle, age and skin type. Afterward, follow-up treatments can be given on a regular basis.
Call Sanjay Athavale, MD at (770) 217-6224 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
