So many people take their kids to a Disney theme park for Spring Break; the lines are longer than ever. Here are two recommended cities, near Disney theme parks but able to stand on their own as alternatives for family Spring Break vacations.
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One of the most common procedures people think of having, both young and old, is Botox. I find that patients are often confused about Botox and fillers, what to use where, which one gets rid of wrinkles and fine lines, whether to use one or both, and so forth. So here is the rundown on what you should know if you are thinking about having either of these procedures done.
Botox is derived from Botulinum toxin and is administered in very small doses into muscles in order to paralyze the muscles. It does not fill areas, but reduces lines by decreasing the muscle action that causes those lines. Botox was originally (and still is) used for severe eyelid twitching, called blepharospasm, and severe vocal cord muscle twitching called spastic dysphonia. It has now been widely accepted as a cosmetic treatment, and is used most commonly in the area between the eyebrows (glabella), the forehead, and the crow’s feet areas. It works by paralyzing the muscles in these areas which means one can’t make the expression in that area that is causing the unwanted lines.
It is also used in small doses in the upper lip for “lip bleeder” vertical lines, in the neck to relax the platysma muscle that causes neck “bands,” and in some cases for muscle spasms elsewhere in the neck and body. It is also used in people who have overactive sweat glands in the armpits and palms of the hands.
Botox lasts about three months but can last longer or shorter depending on how each person metabolizes the material, and effect can vary with each individual.
Recently, as we realize that much of aging is about loss of volume, fillers have been used more frequently. Skin and muscle don’t fall as a result of gravity, but due to a loss of elasticity and loss of volume. If gravity played such a big part, wouldn’t our hands become larger as a result of fat sliding down the arms? As we all know that does not happen - hands develop an aged look when we lose fat and the skin thins. Same goes for the face - as tissues lose their elasticity and head south, furrows develop in the nasolabial folds (the two skin folds that run from each side of the nose to the corners of the mouth) and depressions appear in the “prejowl” region in front of jowls forming over the jawline. The lower lids get puffy, but accentuation of the “tear troughs” at the lower rim of the orbits make us look tired and aged.
Surgery plays a big role in improving these areas, but many patients aren’t ready for surgery so we use fillers as an alternative. In fact, I use fat transfer to the face in conjunction with facelifting in many of my patients undergoing facial rejuvenation.
There are many diferent types of fillers and all have their own purpose. One of the first fillers was collagen, which is not used anymore, as it required a pretreatment skin test to make sure each patient was not allergic.
Newer fillers include the hyaluronic acid (HA) products Juvederm and Restylane. These last up to 12 months. Radiesse has microscopic calcium particles, and is considered a “semi-permanent” filler. ArtecollTM and ArtefillTM have MMA (methylmethacrylate particles) and are considered semi-permanent as well. Sculptra, which was initially approved only for facial wasting due to HIV-related illness is now approved for cosmetic use in the face. This is a semi-permanent filler that is injected once a month for three sessions and is reported to last up to 30 months, restoring volume to larger areas of the face.
Only the HA fillers can be used in the lips, as the others mentioned here can cause lumpiness which is difficult to correct.
This patient below had Restylane placed in the lips to give her a fuller look. I like patients to look better but natural, not overtreated like I see so many examples of.
Before After
Perhaps one of the best filler solutions is one’s own fat. We take fat with small syringes from the abdomen where most people have a little to spare, spin it in a centrifuge, separate is out and place it in small syringes. If harvested carefully like this, and placed in small “beads” in different layers, the fat develops and becomes a permanent graft in that particular area. I like to use fat transfer with face and neck lifting to fill out the nasolabial folds, the prejowl “marionette” area, and often the lower lids and tear troughs.
As always, you should discuss with your own doctor which treatment would be best for you to give you the results you desire but I hope this overview provides you with a good idea of what options are available.
Bio: Michael S. Schwartz, M.D. is a cosmetic plastic surgeon practicing in Pasadena, California. Dr. Schwartz was trained originally in Head and Neck Surgery at the LAC/USC Medical Center, and went on to complete a fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and a fellowship in Cosmetic Surgery of the Breast and Body. www.drmichaelschwartz.com
Comments
I found your article very
Thanks for the article Dr.
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