Facial rejuvenation treatments come in many forms. From daily skincare regimens of moisturizer to more entailed cosmetic facial plastic surgery, men and women of all ages and skin types are choosing facial rejuvenation procedures to combat signs of aging in order to revive their youthful appearance. In fact, according to the 2014 statistics shared by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, facial rejuvenation procedures saw a surge in popularity and remained among the top five in both minimally-invasive and cosmetic surgery procedures:
Botox® – 6.7 million treatments performed
Botox® contains a purified form of botulinum that works by temporarily relaxing the muscles that cause wrinkles between (glabellar lines) and around (crow’s feet) the eyes that form with age and repeated facial and forehead expressions. As Botox® is injected into the muscle, it is eventually absorbed and eliminated by the body and therefore treatments must be “re-touched” just about every 4-6 months to maintain the same facial rejuvenation results.
Facial Fillers – 2.3 million treatments performed
Like Botox®, facial fillers are cosmetic injectables but are unique in that they are composed of naturally-occurring substances found in the human body that work to restore lost facial volume and smoothes wrinkles and lines. Facial fillers such as Juvéderm®, Expression®, Perlane®, Radiesse® and Restylane® are great for patients aged 21 and up who have moderate to minimal signs of aging or simply want to help maintain previous plastic surgery results. Popular areas for facial filler treatments include the cheeks, lips, around the mouth area and jaw line. Depending on the type of filler you choose, typical results can last anywhere from 6 months up to two years, therefore follow-up treatments are necessary to keep a more youthful appearance.
Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery) – 207,000 procedures performed
As we age, skin loses its elasticity, often causing the upper eyelids to droop and form excess fat deposits underneath the eyes on the lower eyelids. Blepharoplasty is performed to eliminate those telltale signs of aging on the upper and/or lower eyelids by removing excess fat, tissue and skin around the eyes in order to provide a rested appearance. Depending on the patient’s particular goals, eyelid surgery can be performed on the upper eyelids (to address the “hooded” appearance from sagging eyelid skin) and/or on the lower eyelids (to target the fatty tissue that creates under eye bags).
Facelift – 128,000 procedures performed
When you’re at the point where you’re looking for longer-lasting facial rejuvenation results, facelift surgery can target moderate to minimal signs of aging such as lax skin, or deep wrinkles and fine lines; particularly helpful for those looking to eliminate excess skin around the cheeks, jowls and neck. Once I remove excess, sagging skin, I reposition the remaining skin, tissue and muscles (if needed) to fill lost volume and create an overall smoother, wrinkle-free appearance. There are also those patients who may have specific isolated areas of concern on their face in regards to the neck and jowls and choose to opt for a mini facelift to only rejuvenate and tighten the lower third of the face.
Whichever facial rejuvenation plan we tailor for your unique needs is entirely up to you, however, the first step towards facial rejuvenation is to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive training in the procedure of your choosing. When your safety is concerned, it is important to be your biggest advocate and do the research! If you’d like to meet with me, cosmetic surgeon Dr. David Whiteman, to answer any questions, feel free to schedule a consultation whenever the need arises. You can also stay connected with Southern Plastic Surgery on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for plastic surgery news and updates.