Did you know that in a poll of approximately 500 women, 70 percent of those women told the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery that a milestone birthday impacted the way they felt? The women stated their biggest worries were their sagging cheeks, drooping eyelids, wrinkles, and loose skin on the neck.
The AAFPRS poll revealed that 72 percent of the women have already tried chemical peels, while 50 percent have tried Botox and facial fillers. Another 15 percent admit to seeking the expertise of a facial plastic surgeon to help them look younger. As technology advances and surgical techniques provide natural looking results with tiny scars and minimal recovery times, women are embracing surgical and non-surgical procedures in their fight against aging. When it comes to correcting the common complaints, there are several solutions.
Non-Surgical Solutions
To reduce creases, fine lines, and wrinkles, there are several choices, starting with facial fillers and neurotoxin injections. Facial fillers like Silikon, Perlane, Juvederm, Radiesse, Restylane, and fat transfers to add volume to the face to help fill in hollows and smooth out wrinkles. Fillers do need periodic touch-up. Botox is the most popular neurotoxin. It smoothes creases, lines, and wrinkles by relaxing the underlying muscle. Following any of these injections, you’re free to get back to your normal routine. There is no required recovery time. Botox Cosmetic has a lifespan of three to five months and the results of facial filler injections typically fade after 6 to 12 months (sometimes longer), so you do need to go for injections a few times a year.
Dr. Sheldon Kabaker’s clinic uses four facial fillers. Fillers add volume to the skin, which helps stretch the skin to smooth out wrinkles while also filling in hollows. Juvederm and Restylane are hyaluronic acid fillers. While Juvederm lasts for up to one year, Restylane has an average lifespan of eight months. Finally, Radiesse is a hydroxylapatite filler that has a lifespan of up to two years.
Chemical peels help your body shed the upper layers of dull skin. A chemical solution is spread over the face. This causes the upper layers of skin to peel away, leaving younger looking skin in their place. Dr. Kabaker’s office finds phenol peels are just as effective as laser resurfacing. The main portion of the healing process lasts one or two weeks, but it can take up to six months for the skin color to settle. Additional skin lightening may last for up to one year.
Surgical Techniques
For a surgical solution to sagging skin on the cheeks, jawline, and neck, facelifts are the best choice. Incisions are made in the hairline at the temples. The incision passes around the ears and ends in the hairline behind the ears. The skin and connective tissue are lifted into a more youthful position. Excess skin is trimmed and the incisions are closed. If you need work on the neck, Dr. Kabaker makes the incision in an inconspicuous area below the chin. Following a facelift, you will need monitored care for the first 24 hours. You can return to light activities after a week and strenuous activities after three weeks.
Finally, sagging skin on the eyelids and bags under the eyes is surgically corrected with blepharoplasty. Eyelid surgery is performed on the upper and/or lower eyelid. Dr. Kabaker makes the incision in the upper eyelid in the natural creases. Incisions for the lower eyelid lift are made either inside the eyelid or along the lower eyelash line. Fat, muscle, and skin are excised from the upper eyelid in order to correct the sagging. On the lower eyelid, fat is removed and some skin may also be removed. Following the surgery, swelling and bruising can last for a week to 10 days. Plan to take a week off and then avoid strenuous activities for three weeks.
Read what other patients have to say about their experiences with Dr. Kabaker. When you’re ready to discuss taking years off your appearance, know that Dr. Kabaker has decades of experience as a board certified facial plastic surgeon in Oakland, California. Call his office at (415) 379-9015.