February 2008 Newsletter

The "Liquid Facelift" - Smooth Complexion, Youthful Contours Without Surgery or Peels

We often see women in their 30s and 40s who are depressed about what's happening to their looks. They feel like they've lost the ability to "radiate."

While they're still attractive, they just don't feel they can dazzle anymore. They're not getting admiring looks like they used to. Getting dolled up for a night on the town has lost its appeal.

Not Ready for A Facelift?

These friends of ours are far from the facelift era of adulthood. They don't have "neck issues." Their skin isn't really lax, just kind of lifeless.

In days gone by, we might have suggested facial peels to these patients. A deep peel will tighten skin, remove wrinkles and blemishes, and get a woman back on track to loving her looks again.

Now We Have a Better Way

Today we've got a less invasive solution. Some people are calling it the "liquid facelift."

New facial fillers like Perlane, Radiesse, Restylane, Sculptra, Artefill and Juvederm have come on the market.

Added to the existing array of injectables, they've expanded our ability to rejuvenate faces that have lost volume and brightness.

We can fill in lines, wrinkles and folds, plump up lips, and increase the thickness of the skin. Used in the right combination in the appropriate places, dermal fillers can now do what painful peels used to do — but without pain, and with virtually no downtime.

Got a Class Reunion or Holiday Event Coming Up?

The "Liquid Facelift" is a terrific option for building confidence and making social occasions something to look forward to again. It quickly brings out the very best in your looks, without downtime.

Instead of worrying, you can savor events that reunite classmates, family, associates or neighbors you haven't seen for a while. The mirror tells you you're looking great. That fills your days with feelings of pleasurable anticipation.

So Many Options

Injectables and fillers are made up of a variety of materials that last for different lengths of time and have different effects and uses. Here's a quick overview:

ArteFill — One of Artefill's main appeals is its permanence. It consists of synthetic microspheres suspended in bovine collagen. It's an FDA-approved wrinkle filler for smile lines.

Botox® — Some wrinkles — like brow furrows and crow's feet — are caused by muscle contraction. Botox relaxes the muscle, stopping contraction, and wrinkles disappear for about 3 months.

Collagen — Collagen is a protein complex that temporarily treats wrinkles, scars, thin lips, frown lines and folds around the nose and mouth. Results are immediate and last about 3 months.

Fat Fillers — These Improve the appearance of an aging face, reduce scars, plump up hollow cheeks or thin lips, and fill in thin lines. 40%-50% of the fat injected will last for 5+ years.

Juvederm — A gel filler containing biocompatible hyaluronic acid, Juvederm is used for facial wrinkles and folds. It lasts 9 — 12 months in the face and 6 months in the nasolabial folds and lips.

Radiesse — For filling wrinkles and folds, especially around the mouth and nose, biocompatible Radiesse lasts 1-2 years or more.

Restylane — A hyaluronic acid compound which is a natural substance that provides volume and fullness to skin and reduces facial wrinkles. Treatments last 6 months or more.

Perlane — A thicker, more durable form of Restylane that can fill areas that need more support and provide results for up to 1 year.

Sculptra — A biocompatible injection that increases the thickness of the skin to treat folds and sunken facial areas. It lasts about 2 years.

The Cost

Prices range from $500 - $4,000, depending on which products are chosen.

Rely on My Expertise and Aesthetic Sense

With so many products on the market, both art and science are involved in choosing the most suitable dermal filler to address each area of your face. Knowledge of facial anatomy is needed to choose the right amount of each filler to inject.

I have extensive knowledge of how to best use the palette of fillers available, thus tailoring treatment to your specific needs. Medical knowledge combined with a finely honed aesthetic sense — you'll be looking your absolute best, without surgery, in under one hour!

Consultations Are Free

For a free consultation to discuss a "liquid facelift" and the best combination of fillers to meet your goals, please give us a call.

San Francisco plastic surgery with Dr. Aycock