A Safe and Effective Treatment for Moderate to Severe Forehead Lines and Creases

Of the effects of aging, some of the most noticeable and the most troublesome are lines and wrinkles. These can begin to appear nearly anywhere on the face, in varying levels of severity. Early treatment using dermal fillers and injectables can slow their progression and reduce their appearance.

However, certain lines and wrinkles, like those on the forehead, can deepen enough to form creases even with these treatments. Many treatments used elsewhere around the face can help, but they are often not effective enough, using normal and safe amounts to provide the desired results.

Recently, the FDA has approved Radiesse® to treat moderate to severe lines and creases in the face caused by the loss of volume or fat. Radiesse® differs from other dermal fillers available, not just in the composition but in how it works and the results it provides.

Radiesse® is made from microspheres of calcium hydroxylapatite. The microspheres are contained in a gel to create a thicker substance than other fillers. Like the hyaluronic acid found in other fillers, this molecule is naturally produced and located in the body, though its production slows with age.

Since this gel can restore lost volume, it is injected deeper into the skin to provide more outward pressure. Unlike hyaluronic acid, the results from Radiesse® can be seen immediately following the treatment session. The results also last as long or longer than other available treatments.

Not only is Radiesse® helpful in treating moderate to severe lines and creases, but its thickness also makes it a great alternative to some other cosmetic procedures, such as a rhinoplasty, to address certain dermal deformities.

You do not need an invasive procedure to reduce or eliminate the appearance of moderate or severe lines and creases on your face. Radiesse® can help provide the aesthetic enhancement you want, and treatments are easy enough to fit into your overall aesthetic or cosmetic plan. Call the Center for Plastic Surgery in Highlands, NC, at 828-526-3783 or visit www.plasticsurgerytoday.com to schedule a consultation.

In the past several years, plastic surgeons have heard patients loud and clear. As effective as surgical procedures are, the vast majority of patients would like to address the signs of aging and other cosmetic objectives without setting foot in the operating room. We understand the draw of nonsurgical cosmetic treatments. We also understand the value of them, their safety, and what they can accomplish with little, if any, downtime. In our Highlands, NC office, we offer a wide range of nonsurgical treatments to refresh and improve your look. 

A Little Something to Keep in Mind

Nonsurgical anti-aging and cosmetic treatments are safe, effective, and convenient. With newer products and techniques many are lasting significantly longer than previously and some have even replaced more invasive procedures. More involved and generally surgical methods are needed if the problem is excess skin. However, a great deal of aging is from loss of dermal support and volume of fat, muscle, and bone. Both of these are treatable with non-surgical means. Let’s take a look at some of our most popular non-surgical treatment options for a younger, more radiant appearance.

Nonsurgical Facial Enhancement

Facial enhancements are performed both to correct the signs of aging and to bring more symmetry and proportion to the face.

In younger patients, most procedures are to improve inherited traits such as lip asymmetries or size or under eye depressions caused by low attachment of the muscles there. Some nasal problems are also amenable to filler correction.

In older individuals, we usually replace volume loss or treat wrinkles. The former is generally a filler off the shelf such as one of the Juvederm family or your own fat. Fat was initially the method of choice since it is quite long lasting when done properly. However, with the introduction of Radiesse in 2005, which could last several years, and later in 2015 of Juvederm Voluma, which can last many years, fat transfer became less popular. We treat wrinkles initially with Botox to stop the underlying muscles from causing wrinkles if stopping the muscle from functioning has no needed functional deficit. We now treat established wrinkles with the new less dense fillers and methods to stimulate collagen instead of lasers and deep peels.

We all use of these methods Today’s Liquid Lift, a customized treatment developed by Dr. Buchanan after years of performing facelift surgeries. The liquid facelift that he performs is tailored to correct the exact problems that one has with the fastest results and least invasion. This may include various injectables, fat grafting, and Botox as needed to fully refresh and rejuvenate the face with minimal downtime.

Your facial rejuvenation can begin now. Contact our Highlands, NC office at (828) 526-3783 to schedule your visit. earache

Let’s face it: unless you’re a teenager trying to pass for 21, no matter how old you are, you want to look younger. Because aging gracefully is now more attainable than ever, there are a variety of surgical and non-invasive treatments that we offer patients here at the Center for Plastic Surgery. Whether you’re in your twenties or significantly older, fillers are one of the most popular noninvasive procedures that we use to help soften fine lines and wrinkles and add more volume to the face and lips.

Two similar injectables that we have offered here at our office to add volume to the cheeks, under-eye, pre-jowl, and nose are Radiesse and Juvederm Voluma. Although both of these injectables are fillers designed for the same problem, they are different. These differences have caused us to prefer one over the other. Let’s take a closer look.

Radiesse®

Radiesse has been used for cosmetic purposes since 2005 and was the first soft tissue filler that was heavy enough to elevate the deep tissue and help with volume loss under the eye, in the cheeks, and in the pre-jowl area. Made from calcium hydroxylapatite— a naturally occurring compound in the body used in cleft palate repair in children for many years— Radiesse works on two levels. When it is initially injected, it works to automatically add more volume to the area but it also works to encourage your body’s natural production of collagen— which helps make the results last longer than other fillers before it. The average longevity is 18 months. Its biggest drawback is its lack of reversibility.

Juvederm Voluma®

Here at our office, we offer a variety of  Juvederm fillers used for different purposes, but we are going to focus on Juvederm Voluma. Voluma hasn’t been around for as long as Radiesse but took off when it was released in 2014 because of its safety and longevity. Made from hyaluronic acid, also a naturally occurring substance but reversible, Voluma works the same as Radiesse by filling deep spaces to help add more volume. It, too, unlike any other filler other than Radiesse, is heavy enough to support the tissues. It lasts a minimum of 2 years and we have seen it last well beyond 3 years. Because the price per month of longevity is less than Radiesse and, because of its reversibility making it safer, it is now our preferred filler for volume replacement. We combine it with the other Juvederm products to give you the best results for whatever problem you have that fillers can correct.

If you want to learn more about fillers, schedule a consultation at our Highlands office today by calling us at (828) 526-3783.

A combination of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid in the skin provides support and suppleness that is responsible for naturally youthful skin. Too little of the aforementioned substances will most likely lead to volume loss, resulting to the appearance of wrinkles and folds.

Here at our North Carolina plastic surgery practice, men and women seek our facial rejuvenation services not only because they want to look good but also feel good about themselves. Majority of these patients prefer having lunchtime or minimally-invasive procedures as they do not have the luxury of longer recovery periods associated with major plastic surgery. In addition, they also want results that can be noticed immediately.

Good thing there’s Radiesse!

Radiesse is a dermal filler that works by restoring facial volume immediately after it is injected. This biocompatible filler is made of synthetic calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres suspended in a water based gel carrier. What sets it apart from other fillers is its ability to stimulate your body to regenerate its own supply of collagen. In addition, Radiesse is known for its long-lasting results which can last for 18 months!

5 Cosmetic Concerns that Respond Well to Radiesse

1. Nasolabial Folds, also known as smile lines. These creases typically run from the side of your nose down to the corners of your mouth.
2. Marionette Lines or vertical lines that laterally encircle the chin area.
3. Downturned appearance of the mouth
4. Appearance of jowls
5. Wrinkles and creases that tend to form horizontally across the chin area

Do you live in or near Highlands, North Carolina and would like to learn more about Radiesse?  We are located at 209 Hospital Drive, Suite 202, Highlands, NC.  Call us at 828-526-3783 or fill out this contact form to schedule an initial consultation. We look forward to your visit!