Non-Surgical Facial Procedures
As we mature our skin degrades its structural matrix, known as collagen. Starting around age forty, the body loses 1% of its collagen per year. This is what causes WRINKLES. Some wrinkling is normal and may give the appearance of maturity or wisdom. Excessive wrinkling merely makes us look OLD!
Many materials have been used to minimize or eliminate wrinkles. The earliest was make-up. We offer specialized skincare lines especially formulated for medical use that help produce collagen regeneration for a long lasting result. The Obagi Nu-Derm System consists of several products that include prescription-strength Retin-A and hydroquinone which aggressively treat hyperpigmentation, as well as wrinkles and loss of skin tone. After using the system products for several weeks a Blue Peel is available to further enhance the result. We also offer Theraderm™, which utilizes lactic acid and can be used long-term as an excellent maintenance program.
For those deep lines and grooves there are several new products that give an excellent result for several months to a year or more. These include new fillers—Restylane® and Hylaform®, Captique™, Perlane and Juvederm®—all based on hyaluronic acid, and Radiesse™, a paste of calcium hydroxyapatite, which is much longer-lasting than anything else available. These require NO skin-testing. Restylane® works best for lip augmentation and filling fine lines and naso-labial skin folds. Radiesse™ can be used around the mouth as well as for glabellar frown lines. These fillers are temporary and will require regular maintenance for the best continued result.
Wrinkles may also be reduced by decreasing the activity of muscles which cause the skin to fold along “lines of expression” such as “smile” lines or “frown” lines. You may choose a Botox treatment. Botox® paralyzes the muscles into which it is injected, preventing the folding which muscle contracture would cause. The effects wear off gradually over several months. Treatment can be repeated as often as necessary, with more prolonged effects each time. It is primarily used around the eyes (frown lines, crow’s feet, forehead wrinkles). Beware of fake products which have been infiltrating the US market which are often advertised as less expensive and may be administered by someone other than a physician. In our office, all filler and Botox™ injections are done by Dr. Bumagin.
