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In this issue: 

Holiday Beauty Without Surgery
By Dr. Perez-Gurri

The holidays are rapidly approaching are you ready for the most festive time of the year? Are you ready to put your best face forward? There are various types of ways to look younger without having to go under the knife. Here are a couple of options for regaining that young fresh look the alternative way.

Back in the day, the only solution to looking younger was having a facelift and even then the results weren't guaranteed. Today, the medical industry has advanced to the point where looking young is more efficient and there is less risk involved. The procedures are simple enough and performed in the privacy and comfort of our office. The two most popular methods for clearing out wrinkles, frown lines and crow's feet at the edge of your eyes, are to use either Botox, or dermal fillers (such as Juvederm , Restylane or Prevelle). 

Botox is a toxin produced by a certain type of bacteria. It is injected in small quantities to various areas where the patient has wrinkles, such as the forehead, between the eyebrows or around the eyes. The Botox then binds with the nerve ending and prevents the transmission of the nerve impulse from ever reaching the muscle. The muscle is not allowed to contract and the wrinkle is lessened or disappears all together. 

Botox has the benefit of not affecting surrounding muscles but only the muscle it is concentrated on. The result is that the muscle relaxes, reducing the effects of wrinkles in that area. Botox has been used in the cosmetic industry for over ten years and has a good foundation to stand on.

There are a variety of dermal fillers which can also be used to fight the aging process. The top five ones currently are Juvederm, Restylane, Prevelle, Scultptra and Radiesse. The purpose of dermal fillers is essentially to "fill" that part of the face. Over time the natural collagen and hyaluronic acid in the face gradually disappear. This causes the face to sag and have a 'sunk in' appearance. The dermal filler is injected into the sunken areas to fill them up again, pushing wrinkles out from the inside. It also replaces any moisture lost over the years, making the skin glow and regain its fresh look.

Juvederm and Restylane are very similar. Both are for wrinkles and lip augmentation. The effects can last up to 9 months, longer than the Collagen.  A consultation will determine which product is best for your particular need. The Scultptra and Radiesse cost roughly the same, but more than the previous ones. Both are synthetically made. The Sculptra lasts up to 2 years and is for adding volume to cheeks and facial areas rather than wrinkle removal. Radiesse is for wrinkles and lasts up to 2 years or more.

The best defense against aging is good dieting and exercise. We should start taking care of ourselves as young as possible. However, for some of us who started this process a little late, cosmetic surgery is coming up with some good substitutions.

These products can serve as ancillary tools to your cosmetic surgery or by themselves to enhance your appearance. The use of Botox and dermal fillers is not a substitute for surgery and only an in-depth consultation to assess your particular desires and goals will establish the right course of action. I encourage you to make an appointment today so that we may go over your treatment options.  It's not about rearranging your face to look young but just replacing what you've lost.

Have a great day!

Dr. PG