As time passes and we age, our faces begin to show the effects of gravity, exposure to the sun and all the years of facial muscle movement. The underlying tissues that keep our skin looking youthful begin to break down, often leaving laugh lines, smile lines, crow's feet or facial creases over the areas where muscle movement occurs. Through the artistry of cosmetic surgery procedures, however, you can fight the inevitable signs of aging and look younger than you are!
Soft-tissue fillers such as injectable collagen or fat, can help fill in these lines and creases, temporarily restoring a smoother, more youthful-looking appearance. When injected beneath the skin, these fillers plum up creased and sunken areas of the face. They can also add fullness to the lips and cheeks. Injectable fillers can be used alone or in conjunction with a resurfacing procedure, such as laser treatment, or a recontouring procedure, such as a facelift.
Injected collagen and fat are primarily used to improve the appearance of the skin's texture. Fillers can help fill out deep facial wrinkles, creases and furrows, sunken cheeks, skin depressions and some types of scars. Fillers are also used to add a fuller, more sensuous look to the lips.
Injectables are not intended to treat severe surface wrinkles on the face, such as vertical "lipstick lines" that sometimes form around the mouth. Injectables are sometimes use in conjunction with facial surgery procedures; however, injectables alone cannot change facial contour the way surgery can.
How Long Will Injectables Last?
One of the most important facts to remember about injectable fillers is that the results are not permanent. Injected material is eventually metabolized by the body. You should not expect the same long-lasting results that may be gained from cosmetic surgery.
In some, the result may last only a few weeks; in others, the result may be maintained indefinitely. Age, genetic background, skin quality and lifestyle all play a role in the filler's staying power.
Are There Risks?
When injectables are administered by a qualified plastic surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor in nature. Still, individuals vary greatly in their anatomy, their physical reactions and their healing abilities. The outcome of treatment with injectables is never completely predictable.
Collagen: Allergic reaction is the primary risk of collagen. To help determine if you are allergic to the substance, your surgeon will perform an allergy skin test about a month before the procedure. After the test is performed, the test site should be watched carefully for three or four weeks, or as long as your surgeon advises. Any sign of redness, itching, swelling or other occurrences at the test site should be reported to our office. Risks not necessarily related to allergies include infection, abscesses, open sores, skin peeling, scarring and lumpiness, which may persist over the treated area. Reports of these problems are very rare.
drbray.com/fat_injections.html Fat: Allergic reaction is not a factor for fat because it's harvested from a patient's own body. However, there is still a small risk of infection and other infrequent complications.
If you are like most patients, you'll be very satisfied with the results of your injectable treatments. If you would like to learn more about how drbray.com/injectables.html injectables can improve your appearance, please visit the website of drbray.com/injectables.html cosmetic surgeon Dr. David A. Bray, Sr., serving patients in the Los Angeles area of California.
