Facial
Rejuvenation Options
Patients
have many options to enhance their face. These include
Chemical Peels, Fillers, Laser Peels and Face Lifts.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs):
• What is it?
Alpha
hydroxy acids are derived from milk, fruits and sugar
cane. An ingredient in many cosmetics and lotion, AHAs
are supposed to stimulate exfoliation or slough off
dead skin cells.
• How to get it
Available
in cosmetics, lotions and face washes at grocery
stores, department stores and salons. Also available in
higher
• Cost
Over-the-counter AHA cosmetics range
from $8 (Alpha Hydrox) to $140 (La Prairie)
• Advantages
1) Some
doctors say AHAs might soften and refresh the skin
2) AHAs may help even out the skin color and texture
3) Some AHAs are inexpensive
• Disadvantages
1) The AHA
levels in over-the-counter cosmetics range from 2% to
12%, not large enough concentration to be of much
benefit.
2) Today's AHA products are cosmetics, not drugs, so
manufacturers don't have to prove effectiveness, only
safety
3) AHA has little effect on wrinkles
4) For some people alpha hydroxy acids cause burning
and irritation
Renova (Retin-A):
• What is it?
Renova is a
new, FDA approved, emollient form of Retin-A (retinoic
acid-a Vitamin A derivative and acne medication).
Renova is supposed to promote sloughing of dead cells,
speed the turnover of cells fade age spots.
• How to get it
Must be
prescribed by a doctor
• Cost
A 40 gram
tube (which lasts four to six months) costs about $60
• Advantages
1) It's
relatively inexpensive
2) It's a low-risk, do-it-yourself treatment
3) It may help diminish fine lines and wrinkles
4) It may reverse sun damage of the skin
5) It may help even out pigmentation
• Disadvantages
1) It takes
months to smooth and plump aging skin
2) It initially causes redness, dryness, itching and
peeling of the skin
3) It increases sun sensitivity
4) When treatment is stopped, any improvements may
gradually diminish
5) The emollient preparation may cause acne breakouts
Chemical Peels:
• What is it?
Chemical
solutions are applied to the face to strip away the top
layers and stimulate collagen growth
• How to get it?
From, or
under the direction, of a physician
• Cost
Mild
peel-alpha hydroxy acid or glycolic acid-can cost from
$65 to $300. Moderate and deep chemical peels-phenol
and trichloracetic (TCA)-are $1200 to $400
• Advantages
1) It
improves skin texture
2) Deeper peels can remove fine lines
• Disadvantages
1)
Swelling, crusting, peeling can occur for weeks
afterward it's a more uncomfortable healing process
than some other treatments
2) There is a risk of infection and scarring
3) Occasionally, there are permanent pigmentary changes
4) Because of phenol's toxicity, patients undergoing a
phenol peel must be hooked up to a heart monitor
5) Phenol peel can produce an unnatural white, waxy
appearance
6) Moderate to deep peels result in increased sun
sensitivity
Collagen
Injections:
• What is it?
Bovine
collagen (a fibrous protein that is the main
constituent of the skin's connective tissues) is
injected into shallow lines and creases of the face
• How to get it
Through a
dermatologist or plastic surgeon
• Cost
About $300
per injection
•
Advantages
1) It can help diminish fine wrinkles without surgery
2) It is effective in many facial areas-especially
around the lips-where surgery is less effective
3) The results are almost immediate. The slight
swelling lasts only several days
4) It's favorite temporary treatment for special
occasions, such as class reunions or weddings
• Disadvantages
1) It must
be repeated every three to six months
2) There's a small risk (about 3-5%) of allergic
reaction. Patient must be tested for allergy before
treatment
3) It's expensive considering it lasts only 3 to 4
months
Restylane and
Juvederm :
• What is it?
Both
products are made of Hyaluronic acide a naturally
occuring substance in your skin. They are both used to
injected into shallow lines and creases of the face
• How to get it
Through a
dermatologist or plastic surgeon
• Cost
About $295
per 1cc injection
•
Advantages
1) It can help diminish fine wrinkles without surgery
2) It is effective in many facial areas-especially
around the lips-where surgery is less effective
3) The results are almost immediate. The slight
swelling lasts only several days
4) It's favorite temporary treatment for special
occasions, such as class reunions or weddings
• Disadvantages
1) It must
be repeated every Four to six months
2) There's a small risk (about 1-2%) of allergic
reaction. There is no allergy testing is recommended
before treatment.
3) It's expensive considering it lasts only 4 to 6
months
Radiesse
Injections:
• What is it?
A filler
that consists of smooth calcium hydroxylate (CaHa)
microspheres that are suspended in a water-based gel
carrier. Over time, as the
patient's own soft tissue replaces the gel carrier, the
newly formed collagen provides the desired long-term
effect. These unique advantages make RADIESSE filler
treatments the ideal choice to fill moderate to severe
wrinkles and folds such as nasolabial folds or
marionette lines
• How to get it
Through a
dermatologist or plastic surgeon
• Cost
About $425
per 1cc injection
•
Advantages
1) It can help diminish & fill moderate to severe
wrinkles and folds without surgery
2) It is effective in many facial areas-especially
around the face and body with out the need for surgery.
3) The results are almost immediate. The slight
swelling lasts only several days
4) It's results are the longest lasting 18 to 24 months
• Disadvantages
1) It must
be repeated every 18 to 24 months
2) There's a small risk (about 1-2%) of allergic
reaction. No allergic testing is recommended.
Dermabrasion:
• What is it?
Dermabrasion is a "sand papering" or
scraping of the top skin layer of the
face
• How to get it
From a
physician
• Costs
Approximately $1200
• Advantages
1) It can
help erase fine lines-especially those around the mouth
2) It can be longer-lasting than some other treatments
• Disadvantages
1) It can
be an imprecise treatment too little or too much tissue
can be removed
2) There's risk of infection and scarring
3) It's a very bloody procedure
4) it often takes longer to heal than other treatments
Laser resurfacing:
• What is it?
Laser heat
is delivered in rapid bursts to vaporize aged and
sun-damaged skin
• How to get it
It is
performed by a physician-but not limited to
dermatologists and plastic surgeons
• Costs
About $5000
for full-face resurfacing
• Advantages
1) Skin
heals enough in seven to 10 days that the patient could
wear makeup
2) The collagen under the skin contracts, resulting in
some skin tightening
3) Fine wrinkles may disappear and deep lines may be
softened
4) There is less potential for scarring than other
treatments (peels and dermabrasion).
5) There is no bleeding or bruising
6) The results lasts for about five ten years
• Disadvantages
1) Skin
redness may last for up to three months
2) The possibility of some pigment change exists
3) Sun sensitivity is increased
4) It doesn't help sagging facial muscles
5) Doctors aren't required to be certified in this
treatment, no all may have enough experience with the
treatment
6) The long-term effects of laser use on wrinkles are
still unknown
Face lift (Plastic
Surgery):
• What is it?
This is
surgical tightening of the skin of the cheeks, jowls,
chin and neck areas. It also can include the forehead
and eye area
• How to get it
Performed
by a plastic surgeon
• Costs
Face and
neck lift $5000 to $8000. Add $2000 to $3000 for
plastic surgery on the eye area
• Advantages
1) It's the
only way to eliminate to loose skin
2) It is the only way to treat loose neck skin
3) It can erase wrinkles
• Disadvantages
1) There is
risk of scarring, facial numbness or weakness
2) Healing can take longer and be more painful than
some other treatments
3) Bruising is likely
4) It's expensive