Posts Tagged ‘wrinkles’

Top Secret Wrinkle Causing Routines

Saturday, March 2nd, 2013
Kulbersh Cannula1 2 13 13 11 300x133 Top Secret Wrinkle Causing Routines

A non-surgical eyelift can smooth under eye wrinkles and replace lost volume.

We’re all aware of some of the major causes that bring early and unwanted wrinkles to our face such as sun exposure, not enough sleep, and caffeine. However, there are several habits that you may not realize can create wrinkles on your face. In this blog, I share some of the lesser known  habits with my patients in Charlotte that cause wrinkles on the face.

1. Stress

We have all heard the saying “Don’t make a sad face because it could  stay that way.” Although this is an old wives tale, there may be some truth to the statement. Because stress can cause a person to become worrisome and frown, the muscles in your face can actually conform to those movements, leading to marionette lines around the lips, crow’s feet around the eyes, and even 11 lines in the middle of your forehead. One of the best ways to prevent stress induced facial aging is to be aware of your level of stress. If you begin to feel stressed, try to relax by  taking  a deep breath, meditating,  or exercising.

2. Wearing Contacts

You’re probably thinking, “How in the world can wearing contacts cause my face to wrinkle?” Think about this—the average contact user puts contacts in their eyes and takes them out multiple times each day. When this takes place, the skin around your eyes becomes overly stretched due to the constant pulling mechanism of the skin around your eyelid, which in turn can lead to wrinkles. If you’re beginning to appreciate  wrinkles around your eyes and are a contact wearer, an easy and ideal treatment to fix crow’s feet is Botox, which I can inject in my office for my patients in Charlotte. Botox helps to relax the muscles around the eyes, making it difficult for the muscles to move and cause excess wrinkling.

3. Rubbing Your Face With A Towel

We’ve all done it—sometimes we’re running late in the morning, and our only choice is to wash our face quickly and dry our skin even faster. However, constantly rubbing our faces with towels can cause skin to stretch out and become wrinkled, especially in fragile areas under the eyes. Next time you wash your face, make sure you pat your skin dry with the towel—no more rubbing!

Learn More About Fighting Wrinkles Today

If you’re beginning to experience wrinkles on your face, they very well could be a result of the secret wrinkle causing habits discussed in this blog! At Carolina Facial Plastics in Charlotte, my number one goal is to help patients achieve a natural and healthy look through customized treatments, which allow a more youthful appearance to be shown. To learn how injectables like Botox and facial fillers might be good to help stop the signs of aging that you’re experiencing, I encourage you to contact my medical practice today to schedule your initial consultation by calling (704) 323-5090. As a board certified head and neck surgeon, I have a unique knowledge in the importance of bringing facial harmony to my patients through understanding aesthetic and functionality goals.

To learn more about Botox and facial fillers in Charlotte, please contact Carolina Facial Plastics today.

How Does Botox Work?

Friday, January 18th, 2013

 How Does Botox Work?For the past several years, Botox has consistently been at the top of the list for most sought after cosmetic procedures. Year by year, the number of people seeking the treatment increases, and for good reasons—Botox is truly beneficial for people of all ages, races, and ethnicities, no matter what part of the aging process they are in. With so many people seeking Botox across the world and even at my practice in Charlotte, I wanted to take the time to explain to my patients something commonly overlooked: How does Botox actually work?

All About Botox

Simply put, Botox works by temporarily blocking nerves, which result in the inability to move facial muscles.  Muscle can cause wrinkles similar to an iron causing a wrinkle in a shirt.  Every time muscles move, they create a crease or wrinkle in the skin.  By weakening the muscle that causes the crease, it allows time for the skin to repair itself and the wrinkle softens and disappears overtime.   Though Botox is a very common treatment for middle-aged men and women seeking relief from the aging process, Botox injections can be extremely helpful in preventing the aging process in people in their 20’s and 30’s.  Botox in these patients can prevent the formation of some wrinkles and can also retrain the muscles to not move in a fashion that creates some wrinkles.

How Long Does Botox Take To Work?

According to a recent study by New Beauty Magazine, hundreds of women were asked how long they believed it took to see the final results of Botox treatments. Surprisingly, the answers ranged from 24 hours to 5 weeks! At my practice in Charlotte I typically advise patients that although everyone is different, it’s well-within normal range to see results from Botox injections between 2-5 days post treatment.

If you’re considering Botox injections, it’s important to visit an experienced injector for your treatment. Though Botox is an extremely safe procedure when properly performed, the procedure becomes much more risky when people don’t research their injectors, which can result in  unpleasing aesthetic results.

Speak With Carolina Facial Plastics Today

Botox is an extremely helpful tool in fighting the aging process, no matter which stage you may be at. If you’d like to learn more about how Botox can be used to help you combat fine lines, wrinkles, or crow’s feet, please contact my practice today by calling (704) 323-5090. To schedule your initial consultation, during which your every question and concern will be addressed. Because I am a board certified head and neck surgeon with a specialty in facial plastic surgery, I have a unique knowledge in the performance of injectable treatments for cosmetic purposes.

For additional information, please contact Carolina Facial Plastics today.

The Three S’s of Wrinkle Causing Habits

Tuesday, January 8th, 2013

 The Three S’s of Wrinkle Causing Habits  Even when we’re young, we’re told by our parents about the importance of getting enough sleep and always wearing sunscreen to keep our appearance looking fresh and healthy. However, as we age, it’s extremely common to partake in everyday activities that we wouldn’t think twice about—even though they could be hurrying the aging process for us. As a facial plastic surgeon in Charlotte, I’d like to share with my patients the three S’s that should be avoided to reduce the amount of fine lines and wrinkles on your face.

Smoking

It’s a well-documented fact that smoking can lead to premature aging of the skin. Not only does smoking involve toxic substances being put into our bodies, but also a constant mechanism of pursing our lips to inhale the cigarette. This reoccurring movement leads to unwanted lip lines, also known as smoker’s lines. Nicotine in cigarettes has also been directly linked to wrinkles, as it narrows blood vessels which makes it hard for blood to properly flow. This in turn causes less oxygen to be delivered to your skin and can result in wrinkles. Smokers often find that facial fillers can help reduce the appearance of unwanted lines.

Sipping

If you thought that you might not be at risk of developing lines around your lips and nose because you don’t smoke, think again. Much like smoking a cigarette, sipping on a straw has also been linked to marionette lines around our mouths. The constant sucking mechanism that occurs as we sip a drink through a straw increases the muscle movement around our mouths, which can result in unwanted lip lines in the area.  An easy method for avoiding sipping-related wrinkles is to opt out of using a straw to slurp easily drinkable beverages like water, juices, and sodas.

Sleeping

Lastly, a very common cause of wrinkles and deep lines on our faces can sometimes occur when we least expect it—while we’re sleeping. As a result of sleeping face down on a bed, you’re actually putting unnecessary pressure onto your face and sensitive facial skin, making it impressionable for deep lines and wrinkles. Continuing to sleep in this position night after night causes these sleep impressions to become permanent, which may require facial fillers like Juvederm, Restylane, or Perlane to correct them. Because the skin around our eyes is among the most sensitive and thinnest on our bodies, it’s very easy to damage, even while we’re sleeping. If you’ve already become a victim of sleep wrinkles, Botox has been proven to effectively combat their appearance.

Speak With Dr. Kulbersh Today

If you’re beginning to show signs of wrinkles and fine lines on your face, as an experienced Charlotte facial plastic surgeon, I can help you overcome these initial signs of aging with several different non-invasive facial filler procedures that aim to fill in deep lines and wrinkles in just one office visit. To learn more about whether or not you might be a good candidate for facial fillers or Botox, please call (704) 323-5090 to schedule your initial consultation. Remember, taking the initial steps to conquer the aging process early on may help reduce the amount of damage done to your skin as you continue to age.

For more information about how I help my patients minimize fine lines and wrinkles, please contact Carolina Facial Plastics today.

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.

Understanding the Complicated Relationship Between You & The Mirror

Thursday, November 8th, 2012

Woman Mirror1 300x199 Understanding the Complicated Relationship Between You & The Mirror“Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all” is a familiar tale that we have all learned from.  Our relationship with our mirror can be as complicated as our appearances, as our interpretation of our changing appearance is constantly changing itself.  As a facial cosmetic surgeon in Charlotte, during my consultations, I instruct every patient to look in the mirror and tell me about any aspect of their face that they would like to improve.  This is one of my favorite parts during a consultation as I get the first glimpse of how a patient interprets their face, which transitions into their concerns.

A recent study in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, evaluated the motivation behind women who seek aesthetic enhancements of the face.  There were many interesting points raised in this article that I would like to share:

1)  The dissatisfaction of what women see in the mirror is the primary motivator in their decision to seek cosmetic procedures

2)  There were concerns that were common between certain age groups

a)  Women in their 20′s and 30′s were focused on the quality of their skin and the appearance of their nose

b)  Women in their 30′s and 40′s were focused on the area around the eyes (bags, wrinkles), and the quality of their skin

c)  Women in their 40′s and 50′s were focused on the area around the eyes and sagging neck

3)  Women compare their appearance to women that are much younger to them in age

As a Charlotte cosmetic surgeon, there are a few insights I gained from this study.  First, women mainly seek improvement through self analysis and not from outside influences such as opinions of friends and family.  I believe that the motivation to undergo a facial cosmetic procedure should come from within.  I found it interesting that women compare their appearance to women that are much younger to them in age as opposed to women similar to their age.  During my consultations, I discuss with patients that our goal is to create an appearance that they will look great for their age (My goal is not to have a 50 year old to look like a 35 year old).

In all areas of facial plastic surgery, I must understand the motivation and expectations of my patients.  Understanding our complicated relationship with the mirror is another way I continue to learn about facial aesthetics.

 

Simple Guide to Getting the Most Beautiful and Natural Looking Wedding Day Face

Thursday, October 18th, 2012

 Simple Guide to Getting the Most Beautiful and Natural Looking Wedding Day FaceSara, my patient care coordinator at Carolina Facial Plastics in Charlotte, was recently married.   Three months prior to her wedding, we came up with an affordable and natural looking plan to get her face looking great for her big day.  Sara is in her mid-twenties and is already a beautiful woman, but I came up with a plan to enhance her natural beauty.

The plan initiated 3 months before her wedding.  Sara was using good skin care products, but she wanted to take it to the next level to make sure her skin was glowing.  She changed her regime to a combination of Image Skin Products.  For her skin type she was using:

Morning:

-          Ormedic Face Wash

-          Vital C Hydrating Serum

-          Max Eye Cream

-          Daily Defense Matte Sunscreen and Moisturizer Combo

Night:

-          Total Facial Cleanser

-          Max Facial Cream

-          Max Eye Cream

For the wedding day, we really wanted to make her eyes pop.  Her plan was a combination of Latisse and Botox.  It takes 16 weeks to get a full correction using Latisse.  Sara used the product for 12 weeks and got her desired results.  The effects of Latisse were clearly evident as her eyelashes grew longer became thicker.

As a Charlotte Botox expert, we chose to inject Botox 1 month before the wedding date.  This ensured enough time for the best results.  It was used to soften the wrinkles between her eyes and the horizontal lines on her forehead.  The Botox was also used to give her a subtle browlift that made her eyes appear more open, vibrant, and awake.   In her case, it was important to use a conservative dose of Botox as I wanted to ensure she was able to make all of her facial expressions.  The facial expressions caught on film during the wedding are priceless, and I wanted to ensure that those moments were captured.

As a Charlotte facial cosmetic surgeon, I take great joy working with brides to enhance their natural beauty.  Depending on the age and goals of the patient, I work with them to create a plan to have them looking their best on their special day.

 

Four Main Causes of Wrinkles and Their Treatments

Saturday, February 25th, 2012

As we age, wrinkles are formed by four different mechanisms:

1)      The constant movement of muscles causes creases and wrinkles in the face.  The medical term for these creases is dynamic rhytids, and they are commonly found on the forehead, between the eyes (frown lines), and around the eyes (crow’s feet).

Treatment:  Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin.

2)      Sun exposure and UV light stimulates enzymes in the skin that break down collagen and the supporting structures of the skin.  This process causes fine wrinkles on the face.

Treatment:  Good skin care, medical-grade skin peels, and laser resurfacing

3)      Over time, the skin loses elasticity and it descends or sags.  Underneath the skin, there are ligaments and other tissues that tether the skin to the underlying bone, fat, and muscle.  The pleating of the skin over these attachments may cause deep wrinkles and depressions such as tear troughs, pre-jowl sulci, and deeping of the nasolabial folds.

Treatment:  Facial fillers, fat transfer to the face, facelift, necklift, and eyelift

4)      Finally, unlike the rest of the body, the face loses volume over time. A volumized young face appears bright and energetic and it has smooth transitions from one facial area to the next.  Topography is the study of the relief features or surface configuration of an area. Dr. Kulbersh believes that the loss of volume due to aging changes the facial topography creating more “hills and valleys” on the face.  These valleys increase facial shadowing, giving a dark, tired, and aged appearance.  This is similar to a grape and a raisin.  A grape is volumized, has smooth transitions, and reflects light at all angles.  A raisin is a grape that has lost volume, which has many “hills and valleys” and shadowing.  A raisin is not as visually appealing as its “younger” grape form.

Treatment:  Facial fillersfat transfer to the face, faceliftnecklift, and eyelift

There are multiple causes of wrinkles on the face.  Dr. Jonathan Kulbersh trained and practiced in Beverly Hills with facial plastic surgeons, general plastic surgeons, oculoplastic surgeons, and dermatologists.  He would be happy to evaluate the skin of patients in his offices in Charlotte and Columbia.  Dr. Kulbersh is a facial aesthetic plastic surgery specialist that welcomes new patients to his practice.

Can Botox Help Me With My Smile?

Tuesday, February 21st, 2012

Botox is a safe and effective method for decreasing the appearance of wrinkles or preventing them from forming in the face.  Some wrinkles in the face are caused by repetitive muscle movements.  Botox prevents these muscles from moving, and as a result, improves the wrinkles.

How can Botox help my smile?

A bright and vibrant face usually has a smile, and a face that has a frown is considered upset or sad.  As people age, the corners of the mouth turn down to create a frown.  Botox can be used to weaken the muscle that pulls down the corners of the mouth.  This will allow the corners of the lips to slightly rise giving a subtle yet refreshing look to the smile.  This is just one way that a facial aesthetic surgeon can use Botox in an alternative way to improve facial perception.

Jonathan Kulbersh is a cosmetic surgery specialist in Charlotte.  He also has an office in Columbia, SC.  He welcomes the opportunity to discuss any of your facial aesthetic needs.

How Does the Sun Effect Your Skin? What is the Single Best Product to Maintain Great Looking Skin?

Sunday, February 19th, 2012

The skin is the largest organ in the body, and it is on display everyday.  If the skin looks bright, smooth, and healthy, it can really add to one’s appearance.  Skin that is not well taken care of can be discolored, can have wrinkles, and can sag.  Poor skin can distract from a beautiful face, and taking just a few steps to improve the skin can have a dramatic effect on the overall appearance.

What is the main cause of aging skin?

Sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure is the single most damaging factor for our skin.

What is UV radiation?

UV radiation is a type of non-visible light that is produced from our 6 billion year old sun.  It penetrates our atmosphere and eventually can be absorbed by our skin.  When the skin absorbs UV light, this causes the changes in the skin and is responsible for prematurely aging skin, skin cancer, and cataracts.

What are the types of UV radiation?

There are 3 types of ultraviolet radiation: UVA, UVB, and UVC.

How is UVA radiation different from UVB?

They differ in how deeply they penetrate the skin.  UVA rays are more powerful, and they can penetrate very deeply into the skin.  UVB rays only penetrate and damage the very top layers of the skin.  UVA rays account for 95% of sun exposure, and are responsible for causing skin cancers and premature aging of the skin.  UVB rays are responsible for causing sunburns, tans, and skin cancers.

How does UV light cause my skin to age?

Healthy, young-appearing skin is smooth, free of color changes, and has very few wrinkles. Collagen is responsible for keeping the skin smooth and helps prevent wrinkles.  Elastin is the material in your skin that acts like a rubber band.  When the skin is stretched, elastin causes the skin to come back into place.  When elastin fibers are injured, the skin begins to sag.  Over years of sun exposure, UV light causes damage in the skin by activating enzymes that break down the collagen and elastin.  Over time, the damage of these structures prevents the skin from being able to repair itself with repeated exposure to the sun.  This is a major cause of aging skin.

What causes sun spots?

Melanin is a substance produced by the body that absorbs the UV light to help prevent damage.  Over a long period of sun exposure, the body’s cells that produce this pigment are also damaged and they can overproduce the pigment trying to protect the body.  This causes a sun spot.

What is the single best product to keep great looking skin?

Sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays will prevent damage to the skin from the sun.  Sunscreen should be worn everyday as UVA radiation penetrates through the clouds and glass.  There is a special film that can be placed over the widows in your house, car, or place of business to protect your skin.

 

How Does Botox Fix Crow’s Feet?

Friday, February 17th, 2012

Botox Cosmetic is a trade name for a group of medications that are injected into muscles throughout the body to paralyze them.  Botox was first used as a medical tool over 40 years ago to treat lazy eyes.  After its successful use in treating these eye conditions, it is now used in many medical fields including orthopedics, ophthalmology, ENT, neurology, dermatology, and plastic surgery.

Crow’s feet are the fine lines at the corner of the eyes that deepen during squinting or smiling.  All wrinkles on the face are caused by different mechanisms.  Crow’s feet are created by the muscles contracting and pleating the skin near the eye.  Medically, this is referred to as a dynamic rhytid, which can eventually create a permanent line if not treated.

How can Botox help crow’s feet?

A tiny amount of Botox can be used to paralyze the muscles causing the pleating in skin that creates crow’s feet.  It will not effect the normal function of the eye.  It can very rarely cause the eye to droop, which would only be temporary.  In patients with deep crow’s feet, Botox can help soften these lines or even make them disappear.  In patients that are just developing these wrinkles, Botox can be used to erase the lines and prevent their future formation.

Are there any other products that may help crow’s feet in Charlotte?

Dysport and Xeomen are other brands of botulinum toxin, Botox.  They are used in a similar manner and will have the same results.

What are the risks of Botox to crow’s feet?

  1. Bruising
  2. Swelling
  3. Drooping lid–very rare
  4. Headache

The effects of the Botox will appear 3-7 days after the injection and typically lasts for 3 months.   At that time, I would recommend a repeat injection to keep up the smooth eye appearance.

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD, offers Botox Cosmetic in Charlotte, at his office on Fairview Road near Southpark Mall.