Posts Tagged ‘Juvederm’

Getting Ahead Of The Aging Process

Thursday, December 13th, 2012

girl facial filler before after1 Getting Ahead Of The Aging ProcessWhen we’re young, we never imagine that an aging face will ever become our reality. Alas, into our mid twenties and thirties, signs of the inevitable process start to begin. As a facial plastic surgeon in Charlotte who specializes in facial rejuvenation techniques and minimally invasive methods, I’d like to inform my patients about the preventative measures that they can take to slow the aging process.

Aging In Your 20’s

Skin Care

Taking good care of your skin in imperative to ensure graceful aging and to make sure that you are looking your best.  People with great looking skin will look good for their age for many years to come.  Medical grade skin care is unique from over the counter skin care products.  By definintion, over the counter skin products cannot go beneath the surface of the skin, therefore limiting their results.  The medical grade products that I offer in my office in Charlotte, Image skin care, will help turn over old tired skin with new vibrant skin.  The addition of medical grade chemical peels can quickly improve the quality of the skin.

11 lines and Forehead Wrinklest

It’s never too soon to start using an effective regimen of nightly skin firming products or creams. However, as the aging process continues, combating wrinkles in the forehead and between the eyes can prevent the formation of deep wrinkles in the future. I often recommend that my patients undergo Botox treatments, which temporarily paralyzes the muscles that cause unsightly wrinkles between the eyes and on the forehead. Botox is not permanent and is a great way to prevent new facial wrinkles.

Under Eye Bags

The skin under our eyes is very thin and prone to a loss of elasticity. For these reasons, it’s common for people to begin to experience dark, puffy circles under their eyes in their mid to late twenties. To combat under eye bags, I find that hyaluronic acid fillers like Restylane offer patients natural and effective results that don’t look overdone.

Aging in Your 30’s

Hyperpigmentation

As we enter our thirties, it’s very common for people to notice even more signs of aging, including problems with hyperpigmentation, or discolored skin. This happens as a result of several different factors, including damage from the sun over time. To combat hyperpigmentation, chemical peels are common and effective methods that can help a patient achieve a smoother skin tone.

Nasolabial Folds

Are you starting to notice small lines around your mouth that extend to the corner of your nose? Welcome to the wonderful world of nasolabial folds, another common occurrence of the aging process as we delve into our thirties. It’s important to realize that these types of lines only get worse with time, so treating them at first notice can be very effective. At my office in Charlotte, I use injectable treatments like Restylane to soften these lines. This adds volume back to the face and also diminishes their appearance.

Contact An Experienced Facial Plastic Surgeon Today

Remember, the aging process isn’t something that’s avoidable, but it can absolutely be slowed. If you’d like to learn more about the anti-aging procedures that I offer at my practice in Charlotte, I encourage you to contact me today to schedule your initial consultation by calling (704) 323-5090, during which the best procedure or procedures for you can be decided upon. The facial rejuvenation techniques offered at Carolina Facial Plastics are among the most advanced minimally invasive techniques available today. For additional information, please contact my practice today.

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What Are in the Facial Fillers that I Use at My Facial Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Charlotte?

Tuesday, May 29th, 2012

As a Charlotte cosmetic surgeon, I use facial fillers to replace lost volume and reshape the face to a more youthful proportion.  Whenever I am performing a procedure, I want my patients to be well informed about the facial fillers that I use.  I commonly receive questions regarding the composition of fillers.  Generally, there are 2 types of fillers:

1)      Hyaluronic Acid Fillers

  1. Restylane
  2. Perlane
  3. Juvederm

2)      Collagen Stimulators

  1. Sculptra
  2. Radiesse

 

Hyaluronic acid sounds like a bad substance because it contains the word “acid.” Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that the body produces daily.  It functions to support all of the cells in the body.   Typically, Restylane, Juvederm, or Perlane will last 6 -12 months.  It will resolve faster in areas that are constantly moving, such as the mouth, as opposed to still areas, such as the temples. Restylane, Perlane, and Juvederm differ in their thickness and swelling rates after the procedure.  Juvederm tends to swell the most while Perlane in the thickest.  Restylane is in the middle.

Charlotte Sculptra1 300x26 What Are in the Facial Fillers that I Use at My Facial Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Charlotte?

Sculptra’s fancy medical name is poly-l-lactic acid.  That is same material that is used in a line of commonly used sutures which have been popular for years.  Sculptra is very safe when placed in the face by a trained injector.  It stimulates the body to produce collagen which replenishes the lost volume of the face.  The results typically last 2-3 years.  Depending on the amount of volume lost, more than one session of Sculptra may be required.

 

Radiesse is composed of Source calcium hydroxyl apatite , a substance that is produced by our bones.  When injected into the face, it will fill the area and stimulate the body to produce collagen.  It typically lasts for one  year depending on its location.  I do not use it around the eyes or in the lips because it may leave lumps or bumps.

I hope this serves as a synopsis for the composition of the different facial fillers I use in my cosmetic surgery practice in Charlotte.  For more information about facial fillers click here.

 

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Why Do People Get Chin Implants/Augmentation and What is the Most Affordable Option?

Thursday, February 9th, 2012

When I look at a face, I believe one of the best compliments I can offer to describe it is harmonious.  There is not a single shape of a nose, eye, or chin that is beautiful, but the combination of all of the facial features together creates beauty. The chin is just one piece of the puzzle.  When examining the face, I look at the general overall features of the face.  Does the patient have large features, small features, angular features, or soft features? I will specifically look at the chin and jawline to see if it “fits” the face.  If the patient has larger features and a smaller chin or the face has a small chin in general, a chin augmentation is a great procedure that can dramatically bring the face into harmony. Another key feature that I will specifically look at when examining the face is the nose.  Many times, patients believe that their nose is too big. This can be true, but a small percentage of the time, the real reason the nose looks big is that the chin is too small.  Chin augmentation creates the illusion of a smaller nose.

The position of the chin has psychological undertones. Men with a large and angled jawline are considered powerful, intelligent, and strong.  Research shows that the majority of CEOs of major companies have strong chins.  The opposite is true of men with weak chins.  They can subconsciously appear as weak, less successful, and less attractive.  Chin augmentation in men can be used to improve aesthetic appearance and the subconscious opinion of others.  In women, it is more attractive to have a chin and jawline that “fits” the face.  Generally, the chin should not be strong or weak, but just the right size.

The chin may be augmented both surgically and non-surgically.  The surgical procedure is short and well tolerated, but there are also very tolerable non-surgical options.  The chin may be augmented with injectable facial fillers.  I am a Charlotte, North Carolina and Columbia, South Carolina based facial plastic surgeon.  I use two main types of fillers to augment the chin, HA fillers (Restylane, Perlane, and Juvederm), and calcium hydroxyappetite (Radiesse.)  Both of these types of fillers are natural products produced by the body.

At Carolina Facial Plastics we use nerve blocks and the needless filler injection technique to minimize any pain associated with the injection.  The chin is injected with the filler to create a larger, stronger, and more defined jaw to help fit the face.  Additionally, sometimes the muscles in the jaw may become tense and create excessive dimpling of the chin and cause the chin to be pulled up.  In these cases, I will use a small amount of a chemodenervator, Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin to relax these muscles.

Finally, the easiest and cheapest non-surgical chin augmentation is the growing of facial hair.  Hair covering the chin will give the appearance of a larger chin.  This may be a great option for some of our male patients, but for the females the transformation to the bearded lady may bring unintended consequence (invites to join the fair!).  A recent study shows that chin augmentation procedures are up 50% compared to last year.

Dr. Jonathan Kulbersh is a Board-Certified Head and Neck Surgeon and fellowship trained in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.  His practice, Carolina Facial Plastics, has offices in Charlotte, North Carolina and Columbia, South Carolina, serving the Southpark, Meyers Park, Eastover, Ballentyne, Huntersville, Irmo and Lexington areas.

 

 

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Will Injectable HA Fillers in My Face Look Different After a Couple of Days?

Monday, February 6th, 2012

The injectable HA facial fillers that are available in the Charlotte area, such as Restylane, Perlane, and Juvederm, are wonderful products that are temporary, reversible, and effective for taking years off your appearance.  These fillers require a minor procedure and patients can instantly see the difference after injection of the material.  The fillers are made of a material that is hydrophilic.  This means the injectable filler may slowly increase in fullness over a couple of days as it collects water.  I have found that Juvederm most commonly increases in size over a couple of days.  For this reason, I will not over-correct with an injectable filler.

For more information about Dr. Kulbersh’s needleless injection technique for injectable fillers, please visit the injectable page on his website.

 

Dr. Jonathan Kulbersh is a Board-Certified Head and Neck Surgeon and is fellowship trained in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.  His practice, Carolina Facial Plastics, has offices in Charlotte, North Carolina and Columbia, South Carolina serving the Southpark, Meyers Park, Eastover, Ballentyne, Huntersville, Irmo and Lexington areas.

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Injectable Fillers – Are They Used to Simply Fill Lines, Replace Lost Facial Volume, or Both?

Saturday, February 4th, 2012

The use of the facial fillers Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, and Radiasse in the treatment of the aging face has exploded over the past 5 years in Charlotte and Columbia.  Restylane, Perlane, and Juvederm are composed of hyaluronic acid, while Radiasse is composed  of calcium hydroxyappetite (all of these products are natural substances made by your body).  All of these products have unique features that are explained on my website.  Fillers are now more popular than ever due to their ability to create a subtle refreshed facial appearance in a safe manner.

The loss of facial volume is one major contribution to an aging appearance of the face.  The loss of facial volume does contribute to the formation of wrinkles, but in my opinion, it more importantly changes the topography of the face.  A young face reflects light and has smooth transitions from one area of the face to another.  In an aged face, there are many “hills and valleys” that create many facial shadows.  The use of fillers in the face help create more highlights and smoother transitions from one area of the face to another, which will ultimately create a younger looking appearance.  The techniques to create this outcome are the “art” of facial plastic surgery and cannot be learned at a weekend course.  I believe the ability to analyze facial topography and the correct placement of fillers will differentiate good outcomes from great outcomes.

Fillers can also be used to simply fill deep smile lines and other wrinkles in the face.  This may be appropriate for some patients, but if that is the only technique of the injector, the patient is not going to get the full benefit of these products.  With two years of training in Beverly Hills, this skill and technique is one of the greatest differentiators between myself and other general plastic surgeons.

Carolina Facial Plastics has two offices, one near Southpark Mall in Charlotte and the other in Irmo, South Carolina.  I would love the opportunity to discuss the possible role of fillers in your personalized treatment plan.

Dr. Jonathan Kulbersh is a Board-Certified Head and Neck Surgeon and fellowship trained in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.  His practice, Carolina Facial Plastics, sees patients in his offices in Charlotte, North Carolina and Columbia, South Carolina serving the Southpark, Meyers Park, Eastover, Ballentyne, Huntersville, Irmo and Lexington areas.

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