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DATE: 01/06/05
Wiping out Wrinkles
You don't have to go under the knife to turn back the hands of time. In fact, an increasing number of Americans are opting for nonsurgical procedures that can be done over a lunch hour. Injections of Botox and Restylane are helping to erase the signs of aging for millions of people across the country.
"These new treatments work so well that many of my patients who are considering eyelid or brow surgery are able to delay that decision," says Mark Crawford, MD, cosmetic eye surgeon and Medical Director of the Aesthetic Center of Southwest Louisiana.
Botox is the popular injectable used to smooth out wrinkles in the forehead, between the brows and in the corners of the eyes. "Botox is best for treating these dynamic wrinkles that occur when you smile, laugh or frown. After many years of making the same facial expressions, deep horizontal and vertical wrinkles form in the forehead and around the eyes. Botox works by immobilizing the muscles people use when they frown or squint. The treated area then appears smooth, relaxed and wrinkle-free." The results with Botox last between four to eight months.
New American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) statistics show that Botox injections accounted for the majority -- almost 2.3 million -- of the nearly 8.3 million cosmetic procedures performed in the United States last year. And while surgical procedures like liposuction and face lifts increased 12 percent from 2002, nonsurgical procedures including Botox and filler injections, as well as procedures like chemical peels, jumped 22 percent.
Fillers can also play a role in renovating a furrowed brow, though they are most commonly used to enhance the look of the lower face, such as the lips and the lines that extend from the nose to the corners of the mouth. Approved earlier this year, Restylane is quickly becoming the filler of choice. It is the first in a new class of fillers known as hyaluronic acids. Dr. Crawford explains that hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in all living organisms. It is a key structural component of the skin, creating volume and shape. Restylane doesn't require skin testing and the results can last six to nine months or more, twice as long as collagen.
"Although some media reports have suggested Botox will have to move over to make way for the new fillers, the reality is that fillers and Botox work well together, and many patients are opting to use a combination of the two to address specific areas of concern -- Botox for wrinkles in the upper face and fillers for creases and crevices in the lower face," says Dr. Crawford "Most of the time they end up being quite complementary, and they can sometimes be used in the same area." For example, to smooth deep frown lines in the brow, Botox can immobilize the muscles and Restylane can fill in the stubborn vertical lines between the eyebrows. WeÕve had excellent results with this type of combination treatment."
Several new types of fillers are expected to receive FDA approval later this year.
Dr. Crawford says the main reason injectables are growing so rapidly in popularity is the result of a combination of factors: "Most importantly, because they work and involve less risk than surgical procedures. In addition, the treatment literally takes only minutes. The results are almost immediately visible and last for months. ThatÕs the kind of results people are looking for."
For more information about Botox, Restylane or any facial cosmetic treatment, cal the Aesthetic Center of Southwest Louisiana in Lake Charles at 310-1070, in DeRidder at 462-3937, or visit facehealth.net.
The Aesthetic Center is located in The Eye Clinic in Lake Charles and DeRidder.
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