Anyone who wants to look younger faces a dizzying array of choices. Ads for creams, lotions and fillers that promise to “turn back the clock” are everywhere. There are also less-invasive medical treatments like BOTOX® and laser skin resurfacing that can help. And most are aware that facelifts, neck lifts and other surgical solutions can make people look years younger.
If you would like to restore your natural good looks, you may well wonder, “What’s the best solution for me?” It takes a personal consultation with a specialist to know for sure. Here are some quick general guidelines that can help you better understand your options. (Editor’s Note: Future articles will explore these options in greater depth).
Wrinkle Creams and Lotions
A few years ago, Consumer Reports tested over-the-counter wrinkle creams. “Alas, we were underwhelmed,” they wrote. “At best the products had a small effect, and not on everyone.” For anyone whose wrinkles, lines and sagging skin are noticeable more than a few feet away, creams and lotions are unlikely to make much of a difference.
BOTOX® and Injectable Fillers
BOTOX® is a popular and effective solution that can help prevent wrinkles and lines from getting worse. Since it affects underlying muscles, not the skin, it won’t get rid of visible lines. BOTOX® usually lasts up to 6 months.
Injectable fillers work for mild to moderate lines and furrows. They can provide quick results with no downtime. But their effectiveness is limited. And they can be costly. Three syringes of fillers can cost close to $2,000 and their effects can wear off if not repeated in a year.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Brown spots, skin blotches, scars, wrinkles, and fine lines can make anyone look old. Laser skin resurfacing can be an ideal solution for these problems.
Non-Ablative Lasers are ideal for younger people who don’t require as much treatment as older patients. These lasers stimulate collagen growth and tighten underlying skin. This can improve fine lines, wrinkles, and minor jowls. They require the least amount of downtime.
Multiple laser treatments bundled in a package are often needed to achieve a younger look. This can make non-ablative laser resurfacing costs significant when compared to surgery. Patients may pay a high percentage of the cost of a surgical solution, but will only get a low percentage of the results.
Fractional Lasers can smooth deeper lines and wrinkles than non-ablative lasers, but patients will experience more downtime. Fractional laser resurfacing is a more long-lasting solution than BOTOX®. It can treat larger areas of the face.
Surgical Solutions
Facelifts, neck lifts and eyelid surgery can provide the longest lasting younger look. No facial rejuvenation method lasts as long or achieves as much as surgical solutions. In fact, getting a nonsurgical solution when you need a surgical one is just wasting your money. Depending on the physician and the method used, surgical solutions can be surprisingly affordable.
Do you really need a surgical solution? Only a specialist can give a truly accurate answer. But here’s a quick test. Try pinching sagging skin between your thumb and forefinger. If you can’t tightly pinch much skin, laser treatments or injectable fillers may help. But if you can get a good grip on the problem skin just by pinching it, you might need surgery to tighten it up.
You can “turn back the clock” if you choose the right method for your individual situation. Doctors who specialize in facial rejuvenation stand ready to help.
Dr. Brian Machida is a double board certified facial plastic surgeon. He served for years as a clinical professor at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine. Dr. Machida has performed more than 5,000 facial rejuvenation procedures in his career, giving him an exceptional level of experience. You can contact Dr. Machida with a question or for a personal consultation at Second to Creation, his Ontario, California facial rejuvenation practice.