Filling In Signs of Aging

You’ve probably heard of Botox. You may have read about it in our blog post from a few months ago. And you may think it’s your only option when it comes to a relatively inexpensive way to hide signs of aging.

Well, if that’s what you thought, you would be wrong.

There are a variety of filler options out there, all of which work in various ways. This post will give you The Skinny on fillers.

What are fillers?

Fillers, or dermal fillers, consist of a variety of elements by which to rejuvenate the skin and add volume to the face, lips or other parts of the body. Some fillers are made of soft tissue components that occur naturally in the body. Fillers can also be made up of the patient’s own fat from another part of his or her body or from a chemical developed to imitate soft tissue.

Generally used on the face, fillers can plump lips, smooth out facial creases or wrinkles and enhance shallow contours.

How long do fillers last?

Fillers are temporary. They usually last about three months, but there is a “semi-permanent” option involving polymethylmethacrylate, or PMMA fillers. These fillers are typically used to treat deep wrinkles or major scars.

What are fillers made of?

Chemical fillers are made to imitate the body’s own soft tissue. A few of the most common include:

• Collagen – Well-known for its lip-plumping ability, collagen is a natural substance. It occurs naturally in cartilage, teeth and bones.
• Hyaluronic acid – This substance occurs in the body’s soft connective tissue, the fluid in the eyes, cartilage, joint fluids and skin tissue. Although it works well as filler, it’s also often used to treat arthritis pain in joints.
• Calcium hydroxylapatite – Found in human bones, this is the heaviest facial filler available. Deep wrinkles often require a heavier filler like this.
• Polylactic acid – This synthetic chemical, while it does not occur naturally in the human body, does imitate soft tissue. Rather than showing immediate results, this filler helps the body produce more of its own collagen to support more long-term results.

Are fillers safe?

Unlike other, more permanent surgical procedures, fillers don’t require a lot of recovery time. Also, because many of them are made from substances that occur naturally in the body, they are safe for most people.

Some risks include:

• Bleeding
• Bruising
• Itching
• Migration of filler material (particularly if you apply pressure – such as applying makeup – too soon after the procedure)
• Redness
• Rash
• Sensitivity
• Swelling
• Temporary paralysis of facial muscles

What are the benefits of fillers versus traditional surgery?

Although fillers are temporary and surgery lasts longer, there are several benefits to choosing a filler. They include:

• Changing the type, amount or location of filler after the first round – Because fillers only last a few months, it’s possible to make adjustments as needed during a second or third treatment.
• Little or no recovery time – Unlike surgery, fillers can be injected quickly and the patient can be out and about as normal the same day.
• Fillers are less expensive than surgery – Although many offices offer a topical anesthetic if the patient is uneasy about needles, fillers do not have many of the costs associated with surgery. Surgical costs include anesthetic, recovery care and many other expensive aspects of the procedure.

What types of filler do you offer?

At Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Associates, we offer several products:

• Radiesse^®
• Restylane^®
• Juvederm^®
• Perlane^®
• Sculptra^®
• Belatero^®
• Artefill^®

All fillers serve different purposes, and we always recommend a personal consultation with a dermatologist before making a decision.

Wondering if fillers are right for you? If you have any general questions about fillers just leave them in the comments and I’ll answer them there. If you have specific questions about your cosmetic care, find a qualified dermatologist in your area. If you’re in the Memphis area, call Advanced Dermatology at 901-759-2322.

Home Remedies: Puffy Eyes

Chances are, you’ve woken up at some point with puffy or “tired” eyes, which is a fast-track way to make you look worse than you feel. The good news is there are some things you can do at home to get rid of them. Here are a few tips for soothing away your puffy eyes before your next early morning meeting.

Everyday Treatments
There are several at-home remedies that can help dissipate those puffy eye problems without having to resort to a visit to the doctor. These include:

• A chilled tea bag – The cold and ingredients in the tea will help reduce swelling and help you look more awake.
• Egg whites – Whip an egg white or two until they’re stiff, then brush it under your eyes. This will help tighten your skin.
• Cold cucumber slices – Not just for the movies, these slices help the puffiness fade.
• Cold strawberries – Avoid this treatment if you’re allergic to strawberries. Otherwise these fruit slices can help relieve swelling.
• Cotton balls soaked in cold milk – A few minutes with these on each eye will work wonders for that tired look.
• Chilled spoons – If you prefer to avoid turning your face into a salad bar, a couple of spoons chilled in the refrigerator and allowed to rest on each eye work just as well.
• Splashes of cool water – If you’re in a rush, a few splashes of cold water to your face can help. The cold blast will help reduce swelling as well as provide a chilly wake up call!

Long-Term Changes

If puffy eyes are a persistent problem, long-term changes may be necessary. Consider the following:

• Sleep – It isn’t called “beauty sleep” without good reason! If you aren’t sleeping enough or you’re getting poor quality sleep, it’s going to show. Strive to get eight hours of good quality, uninterrupted sleep to help keep puffy eyes at bay.
• Elevate your head while sleeping – Try keeping an extra pillow under your head to keep it elevated while you sleep. Just like an injury, keeping your head elevated will help keep down any swelling.
• Reduce your sodium intake – As you’ve likely heard from numerous doctors, consuming too much salt can lead to a number of health issues. Overconsumption will make you retain water, even in your face, leading to those puffy eyes.
• Drink more water – By drinking more water, your body will stop retaining water, and you should feel better by flushing all the other toxins from your body. Drink 64 ounces per day to make puffiness no more!
• Take a break from the screen – It’s highly likely that you work and/or play with a computer, tablet, smart phone or other device for hours each day. This can contribute to puffy eyes, not to mention eye fatigue. For every hour you are on a computer, take a five to 10 minute break and rest your eyes, or even get up and walk around for a minute. Your eyes and body will thank you for it.

Have questions about puffy eyes not answered in this post? Leave them in the comments, and I’ll answer them there!

Exfoliation Education: Do's and Don'ts for a happy face

Exfoliation is essential for keeping skin young and fresh-looking. Exfoliation can be done either through a manual process or a chemical process. Exfoliating manually consists of using a scrub, a brush or loofah, or a method like microdermabrasion. Chemical exfoliations use acids like glycolic or salicylic acid, among others, or even going so far as a laser peel. Here are some dos and don’ts when it comes to exfoliating.

Don’t worry about exfoliating if you’re in your 20s or younger. Your skin is turning over at a healthy rate, and adding exfoliation won’t make much of a difference.

Do exfoliate if you’re in your 30s or older. Your skin’s natural exfoliation process has begun to slow, so adding exfoliation will make a difference to the appearance of your skin.

Don’t exfoliate often if you have dry or sensitive skin and already use the gentlest products available. Either method (manual or chemical) can potentially do more damage. DON’T exfoliate visibly damaged skin at all.

Do exfoliate if you have oily skin. This will help clear out your pores.

Don’t exfoliate before you cleanse, otherwise you’ll just skim the surface and the product won’t do its job.

Do remove all makeup before exfoliating. This way you get the deep cleansing you’re looking for.

Don’t use too much pressure. This is your skin were talking about. You aren’t buffing a car.

Do use mild to moderate pressure and allow the product to do the job. Gentle pressure is better than harsh in order to avoid skin damage.

Don’t mix waxing with other procedures. While it is an excellent hair remover, waxing exfoliates skin, as well. Don’t exfoliate skin before or after waxing.

Do use proper moisturizers and sunscreen to protect the newly revealed layer of skin.

Don’t have intensive procedures like chemical peels or microdermabrasion done more than two times per year, unless recommended by a medical professional.

Do use a mild or moderate exfoliating product as needed. Usually, one time per week to as often as twice daily is appropriate. I usually recommend something like a toner applied with a cotton pad, depending on your skin type and skin care needs.

Do let your skin tell you when to exfoliate, how often to exfoliate and what products to use.

Do use the proper exfoliating products on the proper part of your body. Exfoliating products meant for your feet will be much more harsh than an exfoliate meant for your lips. Again, only use one product on each part of your body.

Do be careful with sensitive areas of your body, especially around the eyes, décolletage and the bikini area.

Do remember that pink and tingling skin after exfoliation is good, but red, peeling, burning or painful skin after exfoliation is bad. Seek medical attention if necessary.

If you have any other questions about exfoliating that weren’t answered in this post, leave them in the comments below!

Sunburn in a Winter Wonderland

By this time, all your summer clothes have been packed up for the season, and you’ve unloaded all of your sweaters, coats, boots and other warm weather apparel. But what about your sunscreen? If you thought you didn’t need sunscreen in the winter, I’m here to tell you sunscreen should always be part of your daily regimen! While you might be semi-hibernating for the winter, the sun is not, and even small amounts of sun during a walk into a store from the parking lot can be damaging.  Here are some reasons you should still protect your skin, even during the winter.

Sunburns
Odds are you’ve seen pictures of people smiling people at the bottom of a ski run with that funny raccoon-faced look? All that redness doesn’t just come from windburn. Ice and snow works just like the water at the beach or a pool: it reflects UV rays. In the case of a snow skier, being at a higher elevation means the sunlight will be stronger, emitting more UV rays.  To avoid the red-faced raccoon look, use a sports sunscreen on your face that is at least 30 SPF.

Skin Cancer
Although other types of cancer may get more publicity, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. According to skincancer.org, “Each year, there are more new cases of skin cancer than the combined incidence of cancers of the breast, prostate, lung and colon.” Skin cancer is also one of the most preventable forms of cancer.  So bundle up and cover up to help keep skin cancer at bay.

Youthful skin
Nothing ages skin faster than over exposure to the sun. Consider the example of a Chicago-area man, profiled in this article, who looks 66 years old on one side of his face and 86 years old on the other. The man drove a semi-truck for nearly 30 years of his life, meaning the left side of his face was exposed to the sun for roughly eight hours a day. Take care of your skin to avoid looking 20 years older than you actually are.

Counteract Prescriptions
Many prescription medicines can leave you vulnerable to the sun, and while the sun may not seem as bright during the colder months, it can still cause skin damage. Some common medications that cause sensitivity to the sun are birth control pills, NSAIDs, antibiotics, antidepressants and diuretics. Ask your pharmacist if any of your medications could make you more sensitive to sunlight.

Extra moisture
Cold winter temperatures have a way of sucking all of the moisture not only out of the air, but also out of your skin. Why not doubly treat your skin by using a moisturizer combined with a sunscreen? This way, you’re keeping dry, cracked skin at bay, along with sunburns and wrinkles.

The Beauty of Botox

Photo by Charles Williams

Last year, 5.6 million people received Botox injections. If you don’t know a Botox user personally, odds are you have heard of a few – Simon Cowell, Jenny McCarthy, David Hasselhoff and Vanessa Williams have all had Botox treatments for a variety of reasons.

But what is Botox? Although it’s often the butt of bad jokes in movies, Botox is pretty revolutionary, and it might even work for you. Let’s start by addressing a few common questions, misconceptions and recommendations. 

If you have any questions not included here, leave them in the comments, and I’ll answer them there.

Where did it come from?

Botox is derived from Botulinum toxin. The word may sound familiar if you’ve heard of botulism, a type of food poisoning. Although it can be toxic in very high doses, 10 years ago, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration approved the patented small dose, now known as Botox, to treat a variety of cosmetic issues.

If you’re wondering how the idea to use the product to treat wrinkles came about, it was totally by accident! In the late 1980s, it was being used as a treatment for facial muscle spasms, and patients began commenting on the benefits to wrinkles and other cosmetic issues. That led to more research and, eventually, FDA approval in 2002.

What does it do?

Botox can be used to treat a variety of minor cosmetic issues. These include:

• Filling in wrinkles, like crow’s feet, to make them less visible
• Injections under the arms can help control heavy sweating.
• Erasing frown lines around the mouth or wrinkles on the forehead
• Correct crossed eyes

The effects of Botox typically last up to four months. Regular injections are safe, and the effect is the same with each injection. There is no “wear” or “getting used to” the effects of Botox.

Allergan, Inc., the manufacturer of Botox, recently received FDA approval to use Botox to treat incontinence and chronic migraines. They are exploring its use for other conditions, as well.

How does it work?

Quite simply, Botox blocks signals from the nerves to the muscles, essentially “deadening” them and keeping the muscles from contracting. This causes the muscles to relax and soften, lessening or even eliminating visible signs of wrinkles.

Is it safe?

Yes! Although technically derived from a neurotoxin, Botox is 100 percent safe. In small doses, the injections are very well-received and highly effective for cosmetic issues. There are no known long-term safety risks associated with Botox injections.

Although the injection itself is safe, it is possible to experience a bad outcome. Be very selective when choosing the physician who will administer your shots. Always choose a licensed dermatologist or plastic surgeon. Risks associated with poorly performed Botox injections are primarily cosmetic, and include shiny skin, visible ripples or the “frozen” look often portrayed in movies.

Should I get Botox?

It’s important to note that Botox is a brand name. There are now two competing products on the market, as well – Dysport and Xeomin. At Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Associates, we recommend a certain brand to patients based on a few factors: how often the patient plans to get injections, the specific area to be treated and the patient’s medical history or concerns.

Oftentimes, Botox is used as an alternative to more invasive or expensive procedures.

If you have a question about pursuing a Botox procedure, call us at 901-759-2322.