Your face is what you present to the world. It is very much a part of you, and as such, if you are not happy with the appearance of your face, you may struggle with a lack of confidence and self-assurance as you navigate life. Many people are unhappy with the signs of aging they see when they look in the mirror, but they fail to take action because they presume that the only solution is a facelift.
Facelift surgery can transform your appearance, but it is not for everyone. If you do not wish to undergo surgery or have been told that you are not a candidate for facelift surgery, you still have options. The following are three other treatments that can help restore your youthful appearance and self-confidence.
1. Submental Fullness: Kybella
Have you noticed that as you've grown older, fat has accumulated beneath your skin? Known as submental fullness, this change can make it look like you have a double chin. It may keep you from turning your head in a certain direction while in public.
Kybella is an injectable treatment that reduces submental fullness without the need for surgery. The active ingredient is a substance called deoxycholic acid. When injected into tissue, it destroys the fat cells in that area and causes your body to reabsorb the fat.
Kybella treatment is not overly painful. Your doctor can apply a numbing agent prior to administering the injections, which only takes a few minutes. Your results will slowly develop after treatments. You can have up to six treatments to achieve your desired results. Since the fat cells beneath your skin are permanently destroyed by Kybella, you should never have issues with submental fullness again.
2. Deep Wrinkles, Saggy Cheeks, and Facial Wasting: Sculptra
If you have a lot of deep wrinkles due to thin, sagging skin, Sculptra may be the ideal solution. This treatment also works well for patients with facial wasting that has led to hollowness and the appearance of sunken cheeks.
Sculptra contains the active ingredient polylactic acid. When injected beneath the skin, it adds fullness to the tissue and smooths out your appearance. Initially, the fullness comes from the product itself, but later on, your tissue builds its own collagen in response to the injections, leading to increased fullness.
Sculptra can be used in multiple areas, and it yields more natural-looking results when used on the cheeks in comparison to other injectables. Sculptra has more of a lifting effect, while other injectables have more of a filling quality. The results last about 2 years, although they can take up to 90 days to develop after treatment.
3. Wrinkles, Flat Lips, and Nasolabial Folds: Juvederm
If you have moderate to deep wrinkles and folds that you'd like to get rid of, then Juvederm injections may be a smart choice. Juvederm contains hyaluronic acid, a substance that your skin produces naturally — but in smaller quantities as you age.
There is a whole family of Juvederm products designed for different parts of the face. Juvederm Ultra XC is ideal for treating flat, sunken lips. Juvederm XC is made for smile lines and lines around the nose.
Juvederm takes between 15 and 60 minutes for your doctor to administer. You can expect some bruising and tenderness after treatment, but these symptoms subside within a few weeks. Results last between 6 and 24 months, depending on the severity of the wrinkles being treated and the specific product used.
Do not give up improving your facial appearance just because you do not want to undergo a facelift. With the treatments above, you can experience increased self-confidence and a more youthful look. Contact Ronald C Barry MD, FACS, to discuss your options and schedule your treatment.
