Do you think you see the signs of aging beginning to appear when you look in the mirror? While you can’t go back in time, you can help reverse the signs of aging on your face.
You can schedule a surgery, such as a facelift or eyelid surgery. Or, there are a number of minimally invasive procedures that can take years off of your appearance.
1. Botox and Dysport
If dynamic wrinkles, or wrinkles created by facial movements, are what’s adding years to your look, Botox and Dysport offer a quick, temporary way to reduce them. Commonly used to treat the lines that form between your eyebrows or the crinkles at the corners of your eyes, Botox and Dysport work by blocking the signal sent by the nerve to specific facial muscles.
Without the nerve signal, those muscles aren’t able to move. Without that movement, the skin doesn’t fold or crease, and the appearance of the wrinkles is reduced. It takes a few days for the injection to take effect and most people see results before the week is over. Since there is a chance of bruising or swelling, it’s a good idea to schedule your injections well in advance of any special occasions. Allow at least two weeks between your treatment and a big holiday party, for example. Once results do appear, they typically last at least three months, but can continue to last for up to six.
2. Dermal Fillers
Your skin develops wrinkles in two ways. While dynamic wrinkles form due to facial movements, static wrinkles develop due to a loss of moisture and elasticity. Botox will treat the dynamic lines, but won’t be effective for static wrinkles. If your big concern is static lines, such as wrinkles around your nose and mouth, an injectable dermal filler, such as Restylane, Juvederm, or Radiesse, can be the solution for you.
Made of hyaluronic acid, Juvederm offers several benefits over other fillers made of the same substance. It tends to be thicker than other fillers, so it can better treat deeper lines and wrinkles. Its thickness makes it ideal for use in the lips and as a volumizer. The thickness of Juvederm also tends to make the results look more natural.
Another benefit of Juvederm is that it creates results instantly. The injection fills in the treated area right away, creating a smoother, more youthful look. Although it does provide instant results, it’s a good idea to schedule enough time for healing between your injections and any major events. There is a chance of side effects, such as redness, swelling, and bruising, but these usually fade after about a week.
Typically, results can last up to eight months. If you wish, you can combine your Juvederm injections with another treatment, such as Botox or Dysport, to get a smoother look.
3. Skin Resurfacing
While a deep chemical peel can mean that you need a week or two to recover, the recovery from a mild peel allows you to get back to your regular activities right away. A mild peel can also be just the thing to give your skin a little touch-up for any special occasions and events.
Since chemical peels come in a variety of strengths and are designed to treat different skin concerns, such as acne, scarring, pigmentation, or wrinkles, discussing what you hope to get from a peel with a plastic surgeon is essential.
It might be that a mild or light peel is just what you need. Or you might find that it’s better to have a deeper peel and to schedule some time for recovery.
4. Laser Skin Resurfacing
Like chemical peels, laser skin resurfacing comes in a variety of styles and strengths. Some lasers destroy the top layer of skin and require a lengthy recovery period. Others are designed to be a bit more gentle and only target specific areas of the skin. One such treatment option is fractional CO2 laser. As the name suggests, the laser focuses on just a portion of the skin. Other areas are left untouched, but not untreated.
A laser treatment can provide immediate results and can help treat wrinkles, age spots, and other skin issues. Some downtime is involved, but it’s usually not more than a week. You’ll also be told to avoid sun exposure for some time after your laser treatment.
Contact Dr. Bustillo Today
Dr. Andres Bustillo, M.D., F.A.C.S. can help you decide which minimally invasive treatment best suits your needs. He is one of a select few double board certified facial plastic surgeons. He is board certified by both the American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery.
Because he is a facial specialist, he does not perform surgery on any area of the body other than the face. This specialization and experience has allowed him to get results for patients ranging in facial shapes, features, and skin types. By continuing to build his experience and keep up on the latest advancements, Dr. Bustillo has built his reputation as someone who produces natural, long-lasting results.
Over 50 percent of his practice is dedicated to rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty. The rest is devoted to other types of facial rejuvenation surgery. He performs over 300 nasal surgeries a year. Twenty-five percent of his patients come from outside the United States. Twenty percent of his patients are other doctors and their families.
He and his team can be contacted by phone at 305-663-3380 or by email through the contact form. The office of Dr. Bustillo is here to answer your questions, and help you to plan your initial consultation. You can also directly contact our patient care coordinator, Jessica, by email. Dr. Bustillo is committed to total patient care and support through his practice based just south of Miami, in beautiful and historic Coral Gables, Florida.