Q. Best option for my face? I’m 41 years old, tried Retin-A and Restylane Lyft. Interested in a facelift. Opinion? I have lost some weight and that combined with aging, I have lost fullness in my face. I’ve tried good skincare products, including Retin-A and nothing seems to help. I also got one vial of restylane lyft. Is this something only a facelift will help? Or, will a facelift even help??? I have found myself smiling less because of this, I need to find a solution. I’m only 41 years old and feel like I look much older.
A. Thanks for sharing your photos. They hint of an active, outdoor individual with a zest to do and feel her best. You will need a in-person consultation but I see northern European heritage with thin, mildly sun-damaged skin, laxity and lines.
Since I do not have the advantage to examine you, I hope you will be helped by the information below. My immediate recommendations are to obtain
consultation with a talented, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with extensive skills in:
- non-surgical skin tightening using Obagi ZO Skin Health Rx regimen and chemical peels
- minimally invasive injectables including fillers and / or fat
- Minimally invasive Silhouette Suture Suspension of soft tissues and skin and ThermiTight skin tightening
- Surgical face and neck lift options can wait.
The beginnings of facial skin laxity start when skin repair diminishes and passive skin aging relaxes downward. While tremendous non-surgical and minimally invasive options have been developed, on-going care is necessary at this time to counter aging.
The web of fibrous compartments under the skin loses fat, stretches and elongates developing 5 growing “waves” of skin at points of attachment such as the:
- hooding along the eyes,
- lower eyelid / cheek junction or tear trough / nasojugal fold
- nasolabial fold,
- lateral mouth commissure and marionette folds,
- jowls and neck.
The skin itself is similar in structure to a corrugated carton. It is held together by collagen, elastin and other structural molecules which also passively diminish with aging.
Facial Aging are created from the 5 different layers of the skin, fat, muscle and bone. During the first 20 years or so of life, the body genetically determines how to develop and repair a constantly changing “face” including all these layers (as it does elsewhere in the body). Thereafter it remains robust in repairing itself from injury but the accumulation of environmental, health and nutritional exposure will add to the passive inability for the body to care for itself after 30. This is when physical changes such as skin laxity, irregular pigmentation, lines and wrinkles and skin diseases occur. We now have many options to rejuvenate the layer or layers of the face which need care or stimulation to reverse the aging trend.
So, it is important to understand there are 2 layers of the face and neck to rejuvenate; the laxed visible skin AND the sagging soft tissues under the skin
1. The top layer or stratum corneum of the epidermis is the rough, pigmented layer of the skin; creating most of the depth of the wrinkle.
· Exfoliation is best for this using:
· microdermabrasion,
· Retin-A (ZO Obagi Skin Health System), which also renews and regulates improved function of the deeper epidermis,
· Some lasers and chemical peels.
2. The second layer is the dermis which thins with aging. The natural collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid (which hydrate and toughen the skin) are thickened by the use of:
· fillers (Restylane and Juvederm), or
· Retinoids (ZO Obagi Skin Health System), which also renews and regulates improved function of the deeper dermal skin cells.
· Sculptra properly managed is the latest sensation in stimulating firming and thickening of the dermis
· PRP (platelet rich plasma) and micro-needling is a promising new technique for dermal firming and dermal/epidermal rejuvenation
. ThermiSMOOTH for non-surgical controlled heat skin tightening, or ThermiTIGHT for minimally invasive, dermal skin tightening.
. Chemical Peels and laser tightening are single, “static” attempts to “jump start” the repair system into forming collagen. They should be performed every 3 months in order to achieve a more dynamic stimulation of the immune system collagen production.
3. The next layer or fat also thins or droops with age and maybe:
· filled (Restylane and Juvederm), fat grafting or
· redraped (Silhouette InstaLift Suture Suspension, short-scar, traditional, endoscopic face / neck / brow lifts / cheek)
4. The muscle which creases the skin into wrinkles and folds is weakened and rebalanced with
· Botox or similar injectable muscle relaxers like Dysport or Xeomin.
5. Surgical options can be reviewed on our website. DrDeanKane.com .
6. Don’t forget to protect your skin from the elements! UV blockers, anti-oxidants, pigmentation control and acne / oil reduction will maintain your skin rejuvenation efforts. Consult with a Certified ZO Skin Health Specialist!
Everyone needs one or more layered improvement and in personalized combinations to achieve their optimal result. All surgical, minimally invasive and non-invasive procedures and their combinations should be discussed following a proper examination with a well versed, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who performs all of these options so you will not receive a biased approach because he limited in his skills.
I trust this is helpful.
All the best!
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This information is not meant as medical advice. It is provided solely for education. Our practice would be pleased to discuss your unique circumstances and needs as they relate to these topics.
Give us a call at 410.602.3322 or email Lauri@DrDeanKane.com and make an appointment soon. We’re located on Reservoir Circle just a block off the Baltimore beltway, convenient to greater Baltimore, Annapolis, the Eastern Shore, Southern Pennsylvania, Delaware and Carroll County.
