What’s the Best Way to Remove Lines and Wrinkles?
By David Rapaport | Published on April 7, 2011 | 0 Comments
Combating the signs of aging is very important for many Americans, and especially for those who live in highly populated, material-driven areas of the country such as Los Angeles and Manhattan. While some may turn to drug store solutions like creams and serums that promise to tighten loose skin, others are taking a far more proactive approach and asking their plastic surgeons to eliminate the lines and wrinkles that have started to appear.
Two of the most often requested procedures that deliver some of the most remarkable results are injected solutions, such as Botox and fillers, or the facelift. Helping a patient decide which method will work best is completely about being honest, explains David P. Rapaport MD, and assessing who the patient is and what her goals are. Your NYC surgeon should also work with you to assess your face and explain the results that you can expect from either procedure. For instance, he says, if someone is too tense and therefore always seems to be scowling, Botox will help her look more relaxed.
Fillers are also important in the anti-aging process, Dr. Rapaport says, and can provide a powerful transformation, because with age, you lose fat in the face. Depending on the area of your face that’s being treated, there are different fillers that will work best. Most importantly, he explains, you need a surgeon who will do the procedure well and who will not allow fillers to be used in excess.
There are other areas, however, where a facelift may be more appropriate. For instance, the neck is a huge problem for many patients, Dr. Rapaport explains, but fillers have limited ability with the neck and jowls. He recalls a patient who was 35-years old, but who lived a lot in the sun. She had some aging in the face and was only five months from her wedding but wanted options for revitalizing her appearance. In the end, Dr. Rapaport says, this particular patient chose to proceed with a facelift because it fit her personality. She understood all of her options and wound up very happy with the decision and results.
Many times, patients choose to use certain treatments in conjunction with one another. Each solution, Dr. Rapaport says, is for its own problem. It’s not uncommon for a surgeon who is performing a facelift to also add a chin implant as well. Additionally, he explains, while a facelift helps the neck, it does not offer much of an improvement for the lines around the nose, so you may need filler there. Furthermore, a facelift will not get rid of crow’s feet, so many patients opt for Botox in that area as well.
In the end, your surgeon cannot order you to complete a specific procedure. Instead, a great surgeon should provide you with all of the information you need to make a final decision that you are comfortable with.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.