A relatively simple procedure performed via an upper eyelid incision can lower the incidence of migraine attacks. The operation involves resection (removal) of the corrugator muscles that normally produce the frown lines expression of the forehead. Scientific studies have shown that migraine patients injected with botox to relax these muscles developed fewer migraine attacks. Subsequently, surgeons began to treat these patients by removing these little sling like muscles along the lower forehead with encouraging results. The procedure is performed via a small upper eyelid incision and takes about one hour to complete. The resultant scar is minimal and well hidden along the natural crease line of the upper eyelid. Patients develop some moderate post-operative swelling, minimal pain and require about one week to recover. Reports have shown up to 80% of patients obtain significant improvement in their migraine symptoms.
I perform a traditional and comprehensive face and neck lift surgery that targets the deep SMAS layer of the face and the more superficial skin layer. The deep layer of tissue is advanced both superiorly and laterally towards the side of the neck to produce the most natural appearing results with a well defined jaw line, reduction of jowls and nasalabial folds. The deep layer is anchored and secured with permanent sutures to ensure a long-lasting result. The more superficial skin layer is gently advanced upward along the cheekbone and laterally towards the side of the neck. The excess skin is trimmed and the incision closed with no tension to create a minimal, difficult to notice scar. Care is taken to maintain the natural appearance of the earlobe, which in many facelifts looks distorted and fused to the side of the face.
Many facelift surgeons neglect or ignore the neck portion of the procedure in an effort to cut operative time or minimize the scar around the face and ear. A complete facelift procedure will almost always require a small incision below the chin area, and plication and/or excision of the thin corset muscle of the neck known as the playtsyma. If this muscle is not treated, then residual muscle bands will be noticeable and ruin the overall aesthetic result of the facial rejuventation procedure. In some cases, I will pre-treat the neck and lower face with liposuction to reduce the fatty bulk of the face and further define the jawline and neck region before starting the actual facelift surgery.
A very popular additional step in the facelift procedure is the addition of fat transfer methods to complete the facelift surgery. Fat is harvested from a remote area of the body and injected into various areas of the face to augment the volume loss normally found in the aging face. This method produces a healthier, more complete aesthetic result by replacing lost volume along the cheekbones, temple, eyelid tear troughs, jawline, NL folds, lips and chin area. I have taken this procedure one step further by separating the patient’s adult stem cells from the fat and when the patient returns in two weeks, the stem cells are reinjected into the face to “supercharge” the results of the fat transfer. This is a very new, cutting edge process that very few surgeons have undertaken at present.
Although skin care counters normally do have licensed Aestheticians selling their products not everyone is fully aware of adverse reactions and contraindications of certain cosmeceutical ingredients. They are trained to sell the “MAGIC” of the product versus actually educating you on how to properly use them. Today, everyone is extra concerned with sun spots, fine lines and wrinkles. This is putting pressure on over the counter manufacturers to compete against more aggressive prescriptive product lines.
My top two tips to all uneducated consumers:
· Retinol is a miracle anti-aging product when used correctly and at the proper dosage. Prescriptive strengths of retinol are much more effective on aged skin and using for corrective purposes. You must wear proper sun protection everyday when using retinol to avoid developing hyperpigmentation (brow spots) due to retinol making your skin photo sensitive.
· Another product that is out on the market and can be sold over the counter under a certain percentage is Hydroquinone. Hydroquinone is considered a “bleaching” cream that actually works to inhibit the production of melanin. It is extremely rare that when purchasing a product that contains this ingredient, that the non-professional will be fully aware of the proper use of Hydroquinone as well as adverse reactions. Hydroquinone is best to be used twice a day and for NO LONGER than 6 months at a time. The product actually plateaus around this point and could possible start to cause darkening if over used. Also, you must wear sun protection everyday with this product as it can cause your skin to become photo sensitive.
ALWAYS SEEK A SKIN CARE PROFESSIONAL AT A DOCTOR’S OFFICE TO RECEIVE PROPER INFORMATION AND EFFECTIVE SKIN CARE PRODUCTS.
