Facial Plastic Surgeon or General Plastic Surgeon – What is the difference?

Posted on February 21, 2012 by mejadmin

The easy response is that a Facial Plastic Surgeon is a doctor that works on the face… but there is really a bit more to this answer than the obvious.  Both types of surgeons can be quite good at facial cosmetic surgery but there are some reasons to choose one over the other.

The main distinction is the training that they undergo.  Both surgeons do 3-5 years of training in general surgery before breaking out into more specialized education.   Facial Plastic surgeons spend a minimum of one additional year studying cosmetic and reconstructive surgery though many will gain several more years of experience through surgical residency on face and neck surgery.  Many of the best surgeons have advanced degrees and practice in Otolaryngology which is otherwise known as Ear, Nose and Throat or ENT.   Both specialties require a lot of education and training but the Facial Surgeon spends more time focused on the head and neck area.

Once training is completed, general plastic surgeons perform work on all parts of the body including the face while Facial Plastic Surgeons concentrate only on the head, face and neck areas.  What is vital to understand is that doctors become more adept at a procedure the more frequently they perform the operation.  Therefore, experienced facial surgeons most likely will have performed more facial surgery – and have more experience – than general plastic surgeons who work on the entire body.

When you consider that the head contains more muscles, nerve connections and thinner, more sensitive skin than elsewhere on the body, the training and experience of a facial specialist is a key factor in the outcome of the operation.  Facial surgery involves working in small, delicate, and highly visible areas where any surgical error would not go unnoticed.  Even a seemingly simple technique (for a doctor) such as suturing up a wound, is far more complicated when working with paper-thin skin such as found in the eyelids or the lips.  The stitches need to be very small and exact so as not to leave behind a scar.   According to Dr. Michael Jasin of the Jasin Facial Rejuvenation Institute, it takes a fine hand and an excellent sense of aesthetics to create the work of art that is facial beauty.

Some people may assume the differences in training and experience would not mean as much when it comes to non-surgical procedures such as administering Botox or injecting a dermal filler like Juvederm to plump up the lips.  But in order to create the most natural results, the doctor needs to know exactly   how the underlying muscle tissue works during facial expressions in order to place the filler in just the right spot and in the correct amount to create the desired outcome.  Injectable fillers may not pose a huge risk because they are not permanent, but who wants to live for months with evidence of bad work done to your face?

When it comes to facial surgery, do your research to find a highly experienced, board-certified surgeon that you are comfortable having work on your face.  Take a look at before and after pictures of their patients, ask for testimonials, look over the doctor’s resume and make sure that you ask all the right questions before agreeing to surgery.  Remember, both general plastic surgeons and Facial Plastic Surgeons can be well-qualified and do an excellent job.  However, there is a higher likelihood that the doctor that specializes in a specific area or operation will have a better track record of success.  It is your face, trust it only to the best.

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Are you a good candidate for Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)?

Posted on February 16, 2012 by mejadmin

When it comes to looking younger, many people do not automatically consider eyelid surgery as one of the best options.  But this surgery (known as Blepharoplasty) can be one of the most dramatic in changing ones appearance for the better.  The eyes are the focal point of the face so if your eyelids are puffy, droopy or wrinkly then you will look much older than your years.

If you frequently get questions such as:  “Are you tired?” or  “Are you angry”” when you are not, it may be that your eyelids are the cause of the concern.  Whether because of age, sun-damage or a genetic trait inherited from your parents, droopy eyelids can make you appear less awake or vibrant than you feel.  Unfortunately, this condition cannot be easily fixed with over the counter products or home remedies.  People may suggest that you place teabags or cucumber slices over the eyelids to shrink the excess skin but this rarely works to solve the problem over the long term.

Your eyes are one of the first areas where age or skin damage begins to show.  This is partly because the skin of the eyelids and around the eyes is very thin.  Also this is a “high-traffic” area of the face where your skin is subject to a lot of activity.  Blinking, squinting and making facial expressions all involve movement of the skin around the eyes.

According to Dr. Michael Jasin, a facial plastic surgeon in Tampa, Florida, the natural progression of facial aging starts with crow’s feet or wrinkles around the outside of the eyes.  Next, these wrinkles extend across the lower eyelid and then up into the upper eyelid.  Over time, the skin of the eyelids will become lax which causes a droopy tired look even if when fully awake.  The outer angle of the eye can begin to sag and eyelids take on a hooded look.  In the later stages, these eye hoods can obscure peripheral vision.  When lower lids droop, bags under the eyes form and dark circles emerge.  If left untreated, the lower lid will continue to sag and create scleral show.  Scleral show is where too much of the white of the eye appears under the iris (or colored part of the eyeball).  This look is associated with advanced old age and for some people in their middle years, tired droopy eyelids can be incongruous with their true vitality.

The solution to repairing hanging eyelids is blepharoplasty (or eyelid surgery).  A well-qualified plastic surgeon can restore the eyelids though a surgical procedure which will involve a small incision in the upper or lower eyelid.  A small incision is made in the natural fold of the eyelid, so that the scar becomes inconspicuous. Dr. Jasin uses a laser to make the incision, which helps to reduce bruising and swelling. The doctor will then remove excess tissue and fat and tighten up with remaining skin with a series of very small sutures.  The results of eyelid surgery can be amazing.  Patients that have had this procedure will look more alert and usually much younger.  This can help return the profile of the eye to its natural shape, reduce bags, creases and wrinkles.

To find out if you are a good candidate for this type of procedure, we recommend that you consult a board certified plastic surgeon at an accredited medical facility such as the Jasin Facial Rejuvenation Institute in Florida.  Candidates for this surgery should be in good health, have realistic expectations about the surgery and not be suffering from any infections or allergies.  Also certain underlying eye disease such as Grave’s disease, dry eyes or glaucoma may need to be addressed before you are considered for blepharoplasty.  In most cases, eyelid surgery can provide a long-term solution to the problem of tired, aging eyes.

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Not all Laser Resurfacing Treatments the Same

Posted on February 14, 2012 by mejadmin

If you have considered laser skin resurfacing treatments to remove facial wrinkles, old scars or to improve your complexion, then the next step is to find the right laser treatment for your condition.  Most people assume that all laser therapy is the same, but there are some factors that you need to study before you start.

Laser Skin Resurfacing has come a long way since the early 1980’s when the first treatments were performed to repair facial flaws.  While all lasers work by concentrating a beam of light to, in effect, burn off the damaged outer layer of skin, there are now various technologies available and each performs a bit differently.

The first lasers were called CW CO2 (continuous wave carbon dioxide) and were used to remove sun damaged skin or wrinkles layer by layer.  This method was and is effective but there are some predictable side-effects that should be considered.  Most common are skin redness, swelling, skin discoloration, and skin eruptions.   Scarring, infections and eczema have also been reported following a CW CO2 procedure.  So newer CO2  lasers were created which use pulsed and scanned light systems rather than a continuous beam to allow for a gentler, more controlled treatment.

Better yet is the Erbium: YAG laser that was developed to improve upon the older technology and help reduce recovery time.  Dr. Michael Jasin, a facial plastic surgeon in Tampa, Florida, has lectured and trained physicians on laser resurfacing techniques throughout the U.S. as well as internationally.  According to Dr. Jasin, the Erbium laser “is absorbed by the skin more effectively and so there is much less thermal injury, or heat damage, to the skin.”  This laser only penetrates the top 3 layers of skin so there is far less bruising or swelling associated with this type of procedure.  “This translates into less anesthesia requirements, more rapid healing, less redness, shorter duration of redness post procedure and less potential for any lightening (hypopigmentation) or darkening (hyperpigmentation) of the skin.”

The Erbium laser delivers light to the face to remove the top layer of skin (epidermis) while stimulating collagen growth in the underlying layers.  This system provides a remedy for many different skin conditions such as:

• Removing fine lines and wrinkles
• Reducing brown spots, acne scars, moles or other skin lesions
• Erasing old surgery or trauma scars
• Improving the complexion by reducing large pores and tightening the skin

Besides the type of laser used, the other item to weigh is: Who is doing the work on your face?

Many types of offices can purchase laser equipment but that does not make them an expert in its use.  It is highly recommended that you have a well-qualified medical professional handle the actual laser procedure.  These experts know where the skin is thinnest so can back off the laser so as not to go too deep and end up scarring a patient.  A qualified physician working in an accredited office has the tools and staff to provide the best care in the most sterile environment.  When it comes to your face, do not take any shortcuts or put yourself at risk by having a non-professional do the work.  Lasers are safe but only in the right hands.

If you would like more information, please call or set up a consultation at the Jasin Facial Rejuvenation Institute in Tampa, FL.

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Why Accreditation is Important when Choosing a Plastic Surgeon

Posted on February 8, 2012 by mejadmin

If you are considering getting some work done on your face, there are many things to consider when looking for the right plastic surgeon.  Obviously, you want a doctor that is well-qualified and board-certified to work on your face but often people do not think about the accreditation for the office where the surgery is to be done.   Accreditation is important because it speaks to the level of safety standards that the practice follows.

Like most medical practices, there are multiple people involved in a plastic surgery office.  So it is vital that not only the doctor be top-notch but also that their staff, their equipment and all procedures be held to rigorous standards.   There are different levels of accreditation depending on the type of practice and the operations that are performed in each.  In the state of Florida, not all health care providers are held to the same set of standards so looking at their accreditation can give you a higher level of confidence in the care you will receive.

For plastic surgery, one of the highest levels of accreditation is done by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).  This organization is the leader in developing standards to advance and promote patient safety, quality and value for ambulatory health care.   Accreditation through the AAAHC is a voluntary process that measures a health care provider’s level of expertise and standards of safety practices based on peer-based measures, education and research.

It is the preeminent leader in developing standards to advance and promote patient safety, quality and value for ambulatory health care through peer-based accreditation processes, education and research.  Some of the core requirements that they measure are:

• Rights of Patients
• Quality of Care Provided
• Quality Management and Improvement
• Infection Prevention and Control Safety
• Facilities and Environment
• Surgical and Related Services
• Anesthesia Services

What is important to appreciate is that if a facility is certified, it is a symbol that an organization is committed to providing high-quality health care and that it has demonstrated that commitment by measuring up to the most rigorous standards of medicinal care.

The Jasin Facial Rejuvenation Institute in Tampa, Florida is one of the top facial plastic surgery centers in the country.  It is accredited by the AAAHC and Dr. Michael Jasin explains that “accreditation demands a pledge to our patients that we will always provide the absolute best health care.  Our office follows strict rules to maintain our high-level service and treat our patients in a safe and sterile environment.”

Patients do not always realize what can happen in offices that are not as strongly regulated.  When doctors and staff do not follow safety guidelines, the patient may be exposed to infections or have complications following surgery.  So make sure that you do your homework on both the plastic surgeon and the facility he or she operates in before having any plastic surgery.

 

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How Face & Neck Liposuction can make you Look Years Younger

Posted on February 7, 2012 by mejadmin

Just as pockets of fat can accumulate on our body, they can also deposit in places that are harder to conceal, such as the cheeks, chin or neck.   Since, the face is one part of our body that cannot be exercised or toned there are few options other than liposuction to eliminate the unwanted tissue.  Removing this excess fat can lead to a more refined and appealing profile by improving the contour of the face and enhancing the angle between the face and neck.

Facial liposuction is similar to lipo elsewhere on the body, except in scale.  A smaller area is treated and a smaller amount of fat is removed - usually just a few ounces.  The procedure involves a small incision made beneath the chin or in front of the ear lobes.  Then a small metal tube, called a cannula, is inserted to suction out the fat cells.  The fat cells will never grow back so the results are permanent as long as the patient’s weight remains stable.   If the patient ever gains a serious amount of weight after the surgery, the remaining cells may enlarge and thus require another treatment in the future (though this is rather rare according to Dr. Michael Jasin of the Jasin Facial Rejuvenation Institute.

This is a safe procedure that produces dramatic results.  In fact, liposuction of the chin, neck and jowls can show better results in these problem areas than more invasive surgery such as a full face lift.  Facial liposuction can be more desirable because it minimizes scarring when compared with other types of surgery and requires little recovery time.  The risks associated with this process are mostly minor bruising or swelling, some bleeding at the site of the incision and possible infection so it is imperative that the work be done at an accredited medical facility.

Once the procedure is complete, the outlying skin of most patients will shrink creating a smooth, well defined and more youthful appearance.  In some cases, lipo can be combined with a face lift or neck lift to both speed and enhance the skin tightening process.  This may be necessary for older patients that have lost much of their skin elasticity.

While this is considered a safe procedure with few side effects, this is still a medical process and should be conducted by a board-certified plastic surgeon.  Dr. Michael Jasin, a facial plastic surgeon in Tampa, explained that it is important that a well-qualified surgeon do the work because the face is rather sensitive to surgery.  There are many dense nerve endings in the face covered by a thin tissue layer so the process of facial liposuction is as much an art as a science.  The surgery is not so much about just removing fat cells as it is about contouring and balancing the facial features.

To determine if you are a good candidate for facial liposuction, then you may want to schedule a consultation with Dr. Jasin in Florida to learn more about the process.  When it comes to fat in the face and neck, nothing compares to the effects of liposuction.  It could change your life forever and leave you feeling younger and more confident.

 

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How the Simplicity Neck Lift reduces signs of aging in the neck

Posted on January 27, 2012 by mejadmin

You may notice signs of aging in your neck before they show up in your face.  Often these appear in the form of jowls, a double chin or the dreaded turkey neck.  While some plastic surgeons may recommend a traditional face lift to address both face and neck wrinkles at the same time, many people are not prepared for the extensive surgery and recovery period necessary for this type of surgery.  But many do not realize that there is a less invasive and more targeted option available with the Simplicity Neck Lift which was pioneered by facial plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Jasin of Tampa, Florida.

Signs of aging in the neck typically are caused by three main factors:  lax skin, excess fat and laxity of the muscles in the neck.  These issues will create the appearance of jowls, a lessening of the angle between the neck and chin (often called double chin), loose hanging skin, or vertical bands which are referred to as “turkey neck.”  All of these conditions can be repaired with the Simplicity Neck Lift which is minimally invasive and requires less recovery time than traditional neck lift surgery.

The procedure for the Simplicity Neck Lift is as follows:  a small incision is made under the chin and liposuction is often used to remove any excess fat.  The skin and underlying muscle is tightened and stitched together from each side.  This creates a “sling” that defines the angle between the chin and neck.  This procedure will remove the vertical bands or wrinkles and provide support to the neck tissues to make the patient look 10 to 15 years younger.

The neck lift is a minimally invasive procedure which rejuvenates the neck with minimal downtime and recovery.  The surgery is done under either local or IV anesthesia and takes about 1.5 hours.  It can be combined with other procedures such as the Simplicity Lift, laser resurfacing and eyelid surgery.   All patients receive treatment in our Tampa state of the art fully accredited facility.

If you are considering a neck lift to restore your youthful appearance, then we recommend that you schedule a consultation to discuss the Simplicity Neck Lift as an alternative to traditional face or neck surgery.  We can share more about the procedure, costs, and recovery time as well as share testimonials from satisfied patients during the consultation and provide before and after pictures so you can better envision what this minimally invasive surgery can do to take years off your appearance.

 

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What is the difference between a Lifestyle Face Lift and a Simplicity Lift?

Posted on January 24, 2012 by mejadmin

Many people have heard the term Lifestyle Lift but have little idea of what the procedure entails.  A Lifestyle Lift is really a marketing term to describe a mini-facelift procedure.  The Lifestyle Lift procedure was created to make facelifts more affordable to the public and to reduce the recovery time.  The incisions are smaller than with a traditional facelift and so the recovery time and costs are less.

The Simplicity Lift was pioneered by Dr. Michael Jasin, a facial plastic surgeon in Tampa, he created a less invasive facelift that requires less recovery time and also costs less than the more traditional full face lift surgery.  While both the Simplicity Lift and Lifestyle Lift share similar goals, there are some very important differences that should be considered:

•  The Lifestyle Lift is a branded marketing term.  The doctor that developed the procedure created a franchise that sells the name to other practitioners to use, as well as the technique behind the surgery.  Other practitioners pay a fee to Lifestyle Lift Corp to benefit from the advertising and sales support for use of the name.  Not all practitioners are board certified in plastic surgery.

•  Simplicity Lift is only available at the Jasin Facial Rejuvenation Institute, so the procedure is always done with the same high quality by a board certified plastic surgeon in an accredited facility.

•  The Simplicity Lift provides an individualized consultation process which offers more options for the patient to get the desired results.  Patients meet with the doctor for a consultation, during pre-op and throughout every phase of the procedure.

•  By comparison, the Lifestyle Lift is more of a cookie-cutter approach with no individual consultation prior to the surgery.  A patient undergoing the Lifestyle Lift will often not see the practitioner until they are on the operating table.

•  The Lifestyle Lift involves larger incisions yet only the outer layers of skin are tightened to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

•  The Simplicity Lift uses smaller incisions but tightens both the skin and underlying tissue to give a better, more natural and longer lasting results.

•  At the Jasin Facial Rejuvenation  surgery is performed in their AAAHC accredited office surgical suite.  This accreditation means the  Jasin Facial Rejuvenation institute has met  or exceeded extremely high standards of care and provides more options for greater comfort during surgery.  A patient can choose from IV sedation or local anesthesia and will be monitored by qualified medical personnel throughout the operation.

•  The Lifestyle Lift offers only local anesthesia and the work is not necessarily done in an accredited facility.  There have been several reports of post-op infections following Lifestyle Lift procedures.

•  The Simplicity Lift has a high rate of overall satisfaction with little scarring and more natural, longer lasting results.
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•  Post op appointments are with the doctor and the staff at Jasin Facial Rejuvenation Institute and each patient is followed for as much as a year post operatively to ensure the best possible outcome and results.

•  Patients that have undergone the Lifestyle Lift have complained of excessive scarring and pain that lasts for weeks following surgery.  Many that have undergone the surgery were discouraged to find that they did not see any of the promised results.  A search of the internet will present many negative reports from disgruntled patients.

If you have considered getting any type of face-lift, be sure to check out the doctor’s qualifications, complaint history, success rate, before and after photos, and patient testimonials before moving ahead.  If you have been thinking about getting some work done to restore your youthful appearance, do your research in advance and take the time to meet with Dr. Jasin if you are interested in learning more about a Simplicity Lift.

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How Radiesse works to Reduce Moderate to Severe Wrinkles

Posted on January 19, 2012 by mejadmin

If you have looked into treatment for reducing facial folds, hollows or wrinkles, you may have heard of the dermal filler Radiesse.  It is one of the newer drugs on the market to treat moderate to severe wrinkles and has been on the market in the U.S. since late 2006.

Radiesse is made up of calcium-based microspheres suspended in a gel-like solution.  The microspheres are comprised of calcium hydroxylapatite, a substance naturally found in the body so there is virtually no risk of allergies developing.   This is the first filler to provide volume to repair wrinkles and depressions, and stimulate natural collagen growth.  This means that long after the initial injections, the drug helps the body produce new tissue and thereby, extends the desired cosmetic results.

This ability to promote collagen growth is what makes Radiesse unique in the dermal filler family.  While other fillers last about 6 months to a year, Radiesse can continue working up to a year or 18 months before another treatment is necessary.  According to Dr. Michael Jasin, a facial plastic surgeon in Tampa, this unique action restores the fullness and contours of a youthful, healthy appearance with continued results that can last on average a year or more.

Radiesse is primarily used to treat deeper wrinkles, hollows and folds of the face such as the nasolabial folds (more commonly known as laugh lines or smile lines that appear as parenthesis around the mouth).  Other common areas that are treated with Radiesse are lines around the nose, cheeks and lower face.  For patients with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), this drug helps provide a long-lasting correction of facial fat loss (lipoatrophy) which causes the appearance of sunken cheeks.

Fine lines around the eyes (crow’s feet) and lips (smoker lines) are not usually treated with Radiesse because the small microspheres in the drug do not provide the smooth results necessary for work on wrinkles that are very close to the surface of the skin.  In those areas, fillers such as Juvederm or Restylane may be a better choice.  However, in the fleshier areas, Radiesse can be injected deep enough under the skin to avoid any roughness to show though the dermal layers.

The Radiesse treatment process is a simple outpatient procedure and the injections take about 15 minutes depending on the location treated and patients can return to work that same day.  Both the patient and doctor will see initial results immediately during the injection process, but the final outcome is evident in about a week.  The side-effects are minor and include slight bruising, puffiness at the area treated and pain at the injection site.  The biggest risk associated with Radiesse occurs when patients allow non-licensed practitioners to administer treatment.  This risk can be avoided by using a board-certified surgeon or licensed practitioner at an accredited facility such as Jasin Facial Rejuvenation Institute.

To find out if Radiesse is for you, schedule a consultation with a doctor to discuss your area of concern.  You can then learn more about how the procedure can help you erase those deep wrinkles and folds caused by age or weight loss.  The doctor can explain the cost of the injections and provide you with before/after pictures and referrals from other patients that have been treated with Radiesse.  The long-term benefits of this medication can help you look younger and feel more confident.

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Is Xeomin better than Botox or Dysport at reducing Wrinkles?

Posted on January 17, 2012 by mejadmin

Most people have heard of the benefits of Botox for treating wrinkles, but few have heard of Xeomin – the most recent Botox competitor to hit the market.  Xeomin (otherwise known as incobotulinumtoxinA) is a drug that blocks nerve activity in the muscles that causes a temporary reduction in muscle activity and thereby diminishes wrinkles.  But what are the benefits of Xeomin over the two older and better known neurotoxins?

According to Dr. Michael Jasin, a facial plastic surgeon in Tampa, Xeomin is actually very similar to Botox in many respects.  It is a botulinum toxin type A and is used in the same dosage amounts as the better known brand.  What makes it slightly different is that it is more pure than Botox and Dysport in that it doesn’t contain any additional additives.  What this means is that it is less likely to cause any adverse effects such as allergic reactions.  Another major benefit is that the human body is less likely to become resistant to this pure-form injectable because there are fewer ingredients in the solution.  Some patients have developed antibodies to Botox and Dysport which leads to their bodies rejecting the treatments.

This new drug is considered to be very safe and more than 84,000 people worldwide have been treated with Xeomin injections.  It was primarily prescribed to treat Cervical Dystonia (a painful condition in which neck muscles contract involuntarily) and Blepharospasm (abnormal contractions or twitch of the eyelid).   It has been used in Europe cosmetically for years to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.  The U.S. is actually the 20th country to approve Xeomin for use.

Many patients prefer neurotoxins for superficial cosmetic treatments instead of microdermabrasion and chemical peels because while they may be useful at fading minor lines, botulinum works on the problem more directly and releases wrinkles for months at a time.  Plus, these treatments do not require the same commitment, price or recovery times as traditional facial surgeries such as face or brow lifts.  Injectable products such as Botox, Xeomin and Dysport take only a quick office visit and most patients return to work that same day.

Both Botox and Xeomin take about 7 days before the full effects are realized and the results will last on average for three to six months before another treatment is required.  Some physicians have claimed that Xeomin seems to last a little longer.  A few doctors have stated that they have seen treatments last for up to 9 months but this has yet to be proven.  Dysport, on the other hand, shows a slightly quicker onset time with the same three to six months of wrinkle reduction.

Another variance with Dysport is that it the dosing is different than either Botox or Xeomin.  So while the costs of Dysport are advertised being 1/3rd less per syringe than Botox, the average patient needs more injections of the drug to see the desired outcome.  So often the cost ends up being in the same ballpark as Botox.  Currently, Xeomin is the lowest priced option on the market today.

Dysport may also diffuse (or spread) a wider distance from the injection sites which is considered a problem when treating crows’ feet or wrinkles around the eyes or mouth which are near highly sensitive muscles that you do not want to paralyze.  All three drugs carry similar risks which you should discuss with your plastic surgeon, but the most common side-effects are relatively minor.  The most frequent complaints are bruising or bleeding at the injection site or allergic reactions.  Again, patients using Xeomin may have a lesser chance of developing allergies because the drug is so pure.

All injections should be administered by well-qualified practitioners in a sterile environment such as a doctor’s office or accredited facility.  If you are interested in learning more about Xeomin, consult with Dr. Jasin at the Jasin Facial Rejuvenation Institute.  Or, if you are located outside of Florida, ask your current facial plastic surgeon if they are on the provider list for Xeomin.

Posted in Aging, Botox, Cosmetic Procedure, Fillers & Injectables, Wrinkles, Xeomin | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

How to Create Full Lips with Injectable Fillers

Posted on January 12, 2012 by mejadmin

Whether they make you look young,  sophisticated, or exotic… we can all agree that larger, plumper lips make you more seductive, more inviting, and more confident.  Lips frame your smile and are what most people focus on when flirting with each other (or even draw attention during an ordinary conversation).  Most women know the huge role that sexy lips play, but few women possess the power of a full-on pout.

Just think about all the different products available to help make your lips more attractive.  Next time you are in a drug store, look at the whole wall devoted to cosmetics and you will see that half the selection is made up of lipstick, liners and balms.  But alas, as we get older, our lips begin to thin and fade… and no amount of product will restore the fullness of youth.

Today, dermal fillers are a great solution to restoring lips to their full, beautiful, sexy shape.  For the past 25 years, there was basically only one choice in the U.S. that was FDA approved and that was collagen.  This drug is made from cows and several patients developed allergies or found that the results were extremely short-lived.  Some people found that the collagen filler lasted only a few weeks or a couple of months at best.   However, the good news is that the last 10 years has brought a revolution in the development of new fillers and injectables to help solve a variety of cosmetic problems.

While people often confuse fillers with Botox; fillers are substances that are injected under the skin or lips to plump up the tissues.  For the lips, fillers can provide an increase in lip size as well as enhancing the definition. They can also plump out “lipstick lines” that develop in many female patients.  There are many different products available, but Dr. Michael Jasin, a facial plastic surgeon in Tampa, says that those made of hyaluronic acid are the gold standard for lip augmentation.  Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in our bodies that helps act as a network to transfer essential nutrients from the bloodstream to skin cells.  This ingredient has now been synthesized into non-allergenic formulas sold under the brand names: Juvederm and Restylane.

The results with injectable lip fillers are temporary because the body eventually breaks down and absorbs the hyaluronic acid.  The length of time the results last varies with each individual, but the average is generally four to six months. Individuals who may be considering lip implants for permanent augmentation are frequently advised to try injectables first to see if the results are to their liking.  And while some see the temporary nature of fillers to be a drawback, Dr. Jasin points out that over his many years in practice, he has seen styles change.  Also, there are times when permanent solutions may look out of place if the rest of the face starts showing effects of aging.

Of course, not every filler is for every patient and various fillers have different indications and work better for certain patients.  Choosing the correct filler is decided by the patient’s aging, desires and budget.  Plus it is common for a skilled cosmetic surgeon to recommend using a mix of injectables to sculpt the desired look.  It is important to view this process as a work of art, rather than a mechanical procedure.  The physician must show careful attention to detail, know where to inject the filler and how much to add to provide a natural result.  Patients that have been overdone are quite obvious so it is imperative that you choose a well-qualified plastic surgeon to do the work as many factors go into making an aesthetically pleasing smile.

For more details on lip augmentation, set up a consultation to discuss the look that you want to achieve and find out more about the costs and procedure.

 

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