Everyone has to eventually deal with getting older, and even though every face is unique, the natural progression of facial aging creates specific areas of concern that are common to us all. While some of the more extensive signs of facial aging are best treated surgically with brow, neck, or facelift procedures, many can be addressed quickly and non-invasively with various facial rejuvenation techniques. Here is a list of the five most common signs of facial aging, along with non-invasive ways to treat them.
Any of these treatments can be an excellent way for active, busy patients to achieve the results they want without having to give up their on-the-go lifestyle. If you are interested in learning more about Atlantic Plastic Surgery, P.C. or the procedures our plastic surgeons perform, contact us at one of our Atlanta, Alpharetta, Cumming, or Newnan offices. Additionally, we provide a variety of options for financing, including Care CreditSM, in order to assist you. Please contact Atlanta Plastic Surgery with any questions you may have concerning the financial planning of your procedure and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest news.
We would all like to look younger and more vital, but the many demands of a busy, fast-paced lifestyle can often make it difficult to find the time and resources for cosmetic plastic surgery procedures. Fortunately there is a wide array of less invasive facial rejuvenation procedures that can achieve impressive aesthetic results without the need for extended surgical recovery time. One of the quickest and most effective ways to alleviate many of the signs of facial aging is laser skin resurfacing. In 2013 alone, more than half a million people underwent various laser skin resurfacing procedures, an increase of nearly 200% since 2000. However, as laser skin resurfacing technology has evolved, two distinctly different approaches have developed, the ablative and the non-ablative. Understanding the differences between these two treatment modes can help you determine which is right for you.
Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C. is the most experienced plastic surgery center in Atlanta, and has been recognized throughout the medical community as the Southeast’s premier cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery center for almost fifty years. All of our doctors are board certified plastic surgeons with years of experience and superlative patient reviews. If you have additional questions about any of the plastic surgery procedures our providers perform or about payment options at Atlantic Plastic Surgery, please contact us at one of our Atlanta, Alpharetta, Cumming, or Newnan offices. Also, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest news and updates.
As skin ages, it begins to lose its elasticity, slowly slipping to a lower position on the face. Not unlike a gradually deflating balloon, the facial features droop and sag and skin that was once taunt and firm becomes wrinkled and furrowed. Among the earliest features to succumb to the constant pull of gravity is the thin and delicate skin above and below the eyes. Excess, sagging skin collects on the upper and lower eyelids, causing wrinkles and hoods that can hang over the eyelashes and occasionally even obstruct vision. The fat that cushions the eyeball from the skull settles and bulges in the upper and lower eyelids while the thin membrane that holds the fat in place weakens, allowing the fat to jut into the lids. Eyelid surgery (also called an eye lift or blepharoplasty), can not only reduce the bagginess in the lower eyelids, but also remove excess skin from the upper eyelids, effectively rejuvenating the entire area surrounding the eyes.
According to statistics compiled by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), eyelid surgery has been steadily growing in popularity among patients under thirty for the past five years, and was actually the cosmetic surgical procedure most commonly performed on patients aged 40-54 in 2013. Eyelid surgery is most commonly done for cosmetic reasons. Specifically, this procedure treats the loose or sagging skin that creates folds or disturbs the natural contour of the upper eyelid and removes excess fatty deposits that appear as puffiness in the eyelids or bags under the eyes. Often, especially when performed for cosmetic reasons, the procedure is combined with laser skin resurfacing to revitalize and rejuvenate the skin around the eyes, minimizing fine lines, and wrinkles while improving the appearance of dark under-eye circles.
A blepharoplasty need not only be cosmetic, however. The procedure can also be performed to address functional issues as well. It is not uncommon for some people to develop ptosis, or an excessive drooping of the upper eyelid. When the muscle that holds the eye open becomes weakened by excessive manipulation or trauma, the upper eyelid may droop low enough to impair peripheral vision for driving or other visual tasks. Furthermore, functional blepharoplasty may be necessary if exaggerated bagginess of the upper or lower eyelids have made it difficult for the patient to wear necessary eyeglasses or contact lenses. In some of these cases, reducing the skin and fat deposits in the eyelids may not be sufficient to alleviate the symptoms, and a more extensive forehead lift, or brow lift, procedure to tighten the underlying muscle structure may be necessary.
If you are interested in learning more about Atlantic Plastic Surgery, P.C. or the plastic surgery procedures our plastic surgeons perform, contact us at one of our Atlanta, Alpharetta, Cumming, or Newnan offices. Additionally, we provide a variety of options for financing, including ALPHAEON® and CareCreditSM, in order to assist you. Please contact Atlanta Plastic Surgery with any questions you may have concerning the financial planning of your procedure and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest news.
Plastic surgery can be a significant investment, and in today’s economy it is increasingly important to make the most of every financial decision. As a result, many are looking for ways to maintain the results of their cosmetic plastic surgery procedures for as long as possible. Fortunately, there are many inexpensive, non-surgical cosmetic techniques that can help address the signs of facial aging and, in so doing, delay the need for more extensive surgical procedures and keep you looking younger, longer.
The primary contributing factor to the appearance of facial aging is the deterioration of the skin. Over time, skin suffers damage from a number of environmental factors, including exposure to sun, stress, and cigarette smoke. This damage combines with and even exacerbates the natural loss of skin elasticity and volume that worsens over time, resulting in skin that sags and droops and creating deep wrinkles that only surgery can correct. Some basic care and prevention, however, can help keep this damage to a minimum. Since exposure to the ultraviolet light of the sun accounts for many signs of premature aging, even something as simple as sunscreen, which is used by younger people today more than ever before, can make a significant difference in the visible signs of aging.
But no amount of sunscreen and skincare can keep time at bay forever. Younger individuals in their 20’s and 30’s are turning to skin resurfacing procedures in an effort to undo damage that has already been done. Laser skin resurfacing or chemical peels can help alleviate the effects of early sun damage or residual acne scars while stimulating collagen production. Effectively encouraging the body to produce new, younger skin, these procedures can play a huge role in helping to slow the aging process.
Finally, many have found that they can preserve their skin’s smooth, youthful appearance with Botox® and facial fillers like Juvéderm®. Not only can Botox® Cosmetic facial injections minimize the appearance of smile and frown lines, they can also, in some cases, help prevent expression lines from forming. By relaxing the constant movements of the facial muscles, Botox® may prevent the fine lines and wrinkles that are caused by shifts in facial expression from becoming very deep. Moreover, facial fillers, like Juvéderm® gel, can alleviate the loss of facial volume that leads to sagging and drooping skin. Together, these treatments can help stave off the need for more aggressive surgical treatments, such as facelifts, down the road.
Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C. is the most experienced plastic surgery center in Atlanta, and has been recognized throughout the medical community as the Southeast’s premier cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery center for almost fifty years. All of our doctors are board certified plastic surgeons with years of experience and superlative patient reviews. If you have additional questions about payment options at Atlantic Plastic Surgery or about any of the plastic surgery procedures our providers perform, contact us at one of our Atlanta, Alpharetta, Cumming, or Newnan offices. Also, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest news and updates.
As we age and the skin loses elasticity and the muscles begin to slacken, wrinkles, fine lines, deep furrows, and sagging of the chin and jowls all become more evident. While the most effective and dramatic way to alleviate these signs of facial aging in the neck, lower face, and cheeks is a full facelift, this extensive surgery may not be the best option for every patient. For some, various environmental factors, such as sun damage or long term smoking, have caused facial aging to manifest earlier than it might normally. Fortunately, many of the earliest signs of facial aging are often specific to certain areas of the face, and focusing on those areas with a mini facelift can achieve significant facial rejuvenation results with substantially reduced downtime.
Starting at the Top
An upper facelift pinpoints the area around the eyes and brows, as well as the forehead. Using only minimal incisions hidden in the hairline or, in some cases, a small endoscopic camera technique, sagging skin around the eyes is lifted and tightened upward, giving the area a more youthful and alert look. Often this procedure can be performed with a blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) to make the eyes appear even more awake and refreshed.
The Center of Attention
The middle portions of the face, specifically the cheeks and under-eye regions, are often where the earliest signs of aging are most easily noticed. A mid-facelift focuses on these areas by lifting and repositioning the fat pads in the cheeks to their original position over the cheekbones and removing excess fat from under the eyes to reduce puffiness. Some patients also opt to complement this procedure with the inclusion of fat transfer in the cheeks, accentuating the natural contours of the face and creating a more defined and striking appearance.
The Bottom Line
When the skin of the face loses elasticity, it slips downward, creating folds, heavy jowls and, in some cases a “double chin.” By removing excess fat, tightening the underlying muscles, and repositioning, trimming, and smoothing the skin, a lower facelift can minimize many of the signs of facial aging and even raise the corners of the mouth. With the addition of a neck lift to remove unwanted fat and skin from below the face, it can also create a more youthful and contoured profile.
While all of these procedures are less comprehensive than a full facelift, they are also all less invasive and therefore require significantly less recovery and downtime. Mini facelifts can be an excellent way for active, busy patients to achieve the results they want without having to give up their on-the-go lifestyle. If you are interested in learning more about Atlantic Plastic Surgery, P.C. or the procedures our plastic surgeons perform, contact us at one of our Atlanta, Alpharetta, Cumming, or Newnan offices. Additionally, we provide a variety of options for financing, including Care Credit®, in order to assist you. Please contact us with any questions you may have concerning the financial planning of your procedure and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest news.
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