|
Cosmetic Surgery
There are many elements to cosmetic surgery, and very many different treatment options. It is most important is to have a clear idea of what you would like to achieve and to find someone who can discuss the options with you.
As we age our skin loses its elasticity, stretches and is pulled downward by gravity. Our range of facial expressions then repeatedly creases our skin to give us the classic deepening wrinkles of an older face. Many of these lines are welcome as they give “character” to our faces. Many, however, are less welcome, especially if they make us look older than we feel, or crease the brow to suggest that we are concerned when we feel carefree.
The Essentials
The absolute essentials of face care should be started young. Never smoke, minimise sun damage by wearing sunglasses, suncream and a hat. Moisturise regularly, drink lots of water and sleep well. Easy to write, not so easy to do.
Once the skin has developed age related changes the treatment options are now well understood.
Botox®
When a deep line is generated by the skin being repeatedly creased by an underlying facial muscle, temporarily paralysing the muscle with Botox® causes the musle to relax and the overlying skin to smooth out. This technique is most effective for frown lines. Botox® is the most popular cosmetic treatment in both the UK and the USA. It is simple, effective, and if you don’t like the effect it wears off over 3 months.
Fillers
Deeper expression lines, folds and furrows can be flattened by “filling” the tissue deep to the crease. These plumping agents are injected deep to the crease. The filling agents wear off slowly over months, and can be repeated.
Smoothers
Fine lines can be smoothed with a chemical peel using trichloroacetic acid, or with CO2 laser resurfacing. The treated areas can be quite reddened while healing, which usually takes from days to weeks depending on the intensity of treatment.
Surgery
Ultimately if the skin has stretched too much, or the deeper tissues have been pulled too far downward by gravity, then a surgical aproach is required. An eyelid lift (Blepharoplasty) is the most popular facial surgery in both the UK and USA. The upper lids and lower lids can be lifted and tightened with the scars hidden in the upper eyelid crease or the subciliary line. If the whole brow is low a small incision brow lift can be done at the same time with the addition of 2 to 4 small incisions just behind the hair line. The brow and forhead is then lifted and tightened. This can be done separately to a lid lift with the use of an endoscope, but is easier and more useful when done in combination.
Recovery is rapid, and depends on the individual and the speed with which the bruising and swelling resolve. The stitches are taken out after a week and most people recover in 2 to 3 weeks.
|
