LOOKING GOOD
ABOUT
FACE
M
ore women in their 30s and 40s are choosing the “no-knife” approach to refresh skin that’s beginning to show the wear and tear of sun, age and facial expressions. Delaying the decision to have a face-lift doesn’t mean giving up options. In fact, there are plenty of non-surgical treatments that give skin new life, reduce wrinkles and brighten skin tone. The key to achieving the results you desire depends on realistic expectations. Dr. John Menard, a plastic surgeon, said the trend toward non-surgical options is an excellent way to extend the youthful look and smooth some of the early signs of aging. He believes that realistic expectations are the key to a good outcome.
BOTOX What it does:
Botox, or botulinum toxin type A, blocks nerve transmission and relaxes the underlying muscles that cause wrinkles and frown lines. Botox injections are ideal for correcting crow’s-feet, the fine lines in the forehead and furrows between the eyes. The nearly painless procedure takes a few minutes in the doctor’s office and requires no downtime. The doctor makes a few tiny injections into the muscles that cause the frown lines. A doctor with a lot of experience injecting Botox can achieve results that diminish furrows and wrinkles but still allow for some movement. What the doctor says: “Botox is a safe, effective treatment ideal for wrinkles on the forehead, crow’s-feet and between the eyes. It’s got a high patient satisfaction rate.” — Dr. John Menard What it costs: $285 per syringe, and effects can last up to four to six months. The skinny: An effective, painless way to reduce aging frown lines and crow’s-feet.
BY CAROLYN MASON ILLUSTRATIONS BY ANTHONY BRATINA
Non-surgical methods can minimize your wrinkles and restore a more youthful look
THERMAGE What it is:
You might have seen thermage on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” where she touted it as the newest wonder treatment in the arsenal of beauty rejuvenation. Thermage is the only non-invasive treatment that tightens skin. The procedure uses a radio-frequency technology called Thermacool and is done with a device that delivers a controlled amount of radiofrequency energy. A technician touches the tip of the device to the skin, which uniformly heats up a large amount of collagen in the deep layers of the skin. Over time, new collagen is produced, which tightens the skin and gives it a more youthful appearance. The procedure is performed in a doctor’s office under the supervision of a physician. It’s less painful than it was a few years ago since energy levels of the radio frequency waves have been lowered. A topical anesthetic and oral pain medication are usually administered during the procedure. What the doctor says: “Thermage is a very good noninvasive procedure that can postpone the need for a surgical face-lift. Patients used to feel that there was significant discomfort with the procedure, but recent improvements result in better results and less discomfort,” — Dr. Eli Howell What it costs:$2,200 and lasts up to two years. The skinny: It hurts less than it did a few years ago and can result in dramatic tightening and firming of loose skin. >> 82
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