The Procedure |
Refresh Your Face
Our faces reveal a lot about us. Our joys, hopes and worries are worn on our faces. Facial expressions can leave lasting impressions - on our faces. Repeated muscle movement can cause those frown lines, laugh lines and crows feet to remain visible. Since your face is the one area of the body that’s always visible, you want it to look its best. If these furrows, creases and wrinkles prevent you from looking as good as you feel, it may be time to consider facial rejuvenation. This can be done two ways – by injection or by surgery.
Facial Rejuvenation by Injection
By Injection
Botox
Botox is the brand name for botulinum toxin. BTX, as it is commonly abbreviated, softens the lines in your face by stopping the muscles from moving. Botox works on:
- Frown lines – the vertical lines between your eyebrows.
- Forehead creases – the long lines that go across your entire forehead
- Crow’s feet – wrinkles at the corner of the eyes
- Platysmal bands – thick “cords” in the neck
Botox injections are given with an ultra-thin needle. The whole procedure can be completed in under ten minutes. The number of injections you’ll need depends on how deep your creases are. Expect some mild swelling or bruising where you were injected. You should start to see the results in several hours, but sometimes it takes up to a week for them to fully develop. The results last anywhere from three to five months.
Injectable Fillers
If botox isn’t right for the area you want to treat, injectable fillers could be. An injectable filler is a substance that bring out the fullness of soft tissues in the face. Some are natural. Some are synthetic. Examples of injectable fillers are:
- Collagen – a natural protein that supports the skin
- Hylaform, Captique, Restylane – forms of hyaluronic acid, a natural substance in our bodies
- Radiesse – a form of hydroxylapatite, a substance found naturally in our bones
- Fat – harvested during a liposuction procedure
Injectable fillers can make your lips fuller and your cheeks plump. They can fill out the lines that run from your nose to the corner of your mouth. They can also plump up recessed scars you may have on your face. Injectable fillers differ in their composition and in where they work best on your body. Each injection site is cleaned and iced before and after the injection. Results are almost immediate. Expect to see some minor swelling or bruising at each injection site. The results are not permanent and vary in length from 3-12 months depending on which filler is used. Only fat is permanent but may require repeat applications.
The Consultation
The consultation is your first chance to talk to Dr. Krummen about how you’d like to enhance your appearance. Before arriving for this appointment, know what your goals are as they will be an important part of your evaluation. If necessary, write down your questions so you will have all your concerns addressed during this meeting. Dr. Krummen will listen carefully to your concerns and tell you which options she thinks would work best for you. She will explain any risks and likely results of the procedure. Since both your physical and emotional health have a tremendous impact on the outcome of your surgery, it’s important to be honest with Dr. Krummen about your health history. Every person is different and your treatment will be individualized to your specific needs.
