Posts Tagged ‘Radiesse’

Youth is Fleeting; Smooth Skin Doesn’t Have to Be

Thursday, May 31st, 2012

The aging process takes its toll on the body in many ways. The skin is perhaps one of the most visible reminders that youth can’t last forever. Over time, your body starts to lose its ability to produce collagen and the elastic fibers that once kept your skin looking firm and smooth. Wrinkles set in and your face can appear hollow, or worse, begin to sag in certain places. Stop worrying; frowning only makes the wrinkles worse. Instead, visit your cosmetic surgeon in Charlotte for a plethora of potential treatments, such as Radiesse, that can rejuvenate your appearance.

Skin is Layers Deep

Youthful skin has a firm, almost plump look about it, while older skin appears thinner; similar to comparing a juicy grape with a raisin. The skin is the largest organ in your body, and is actually comprised of many layers, which are grouped into two major layers: the epidermis and dermis. The top layer — or epidermis — you can actually see; it is composed of cells that have been keratinized, which waterproofs them and makes them strong. The underlying layer, or dermis, contains collagen, protein, elastic fibers and other connective tissues. This layer supplies the epidermis with nutrients to help repair the outer skin and keep it healthy.

The Fountain of Youth

Drinking water and staying hydrated can go a long way to keeping your entire body, including your skin, more healthy. But when it comes to wrinkles and those deep grooves around your mouth, you need something stronger. Enter Radiesse and the other dermal fillers available in Charlotte. Dermal fillers are placed under the skin in an effort to “plump” it up, helping to lessen the severity of deep lines and wrinkles. Some dermal fillers, like Radiesse, actually help the skin improve its appearance on its own.

Radiesse

In Charlotte, Dr. Jonathan Kulbersh offers Radiesse as a dermal filler. It’s made of calcium-based microspheres that actually stimulate collagen growth, immediately adding volume and lift to your face. Because the skin now has what it needs to make more of its own collagen, Radiesse results can last up to a year. It is safe to use on the face as well as the hands.

Needle-Shy?

If you don’t like the idea of getting multiple injections, you don’t have to. Dr. Kulbersh employs techniques he learned studying in Beverly Hills under world-renowned plastic surgeons. He uses needle-less techniques that utilize a blunt tip cannula and a small needle. A few sticks with the tiny needle allows the cannula to pass into the skin, pushing aside tissues and blood vessels rather than cutting through them like a large needle would. This technique decreases healing time and reduces chances of bruising, which means you can show off your new, youthful skin faster!

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.

 

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.