Cosmetic Surgery
Cosmetic Lid Surgery
Blepharoplasty is the removal of excessive lid skin or subcutaneous fat (drooping lids).
It is important to be realistic about what a lid surgery would do for you. An easy way to determine results that may be achieved is to raise your eyelids with your hands or a piece of tape in a position they might be after surgery.
If you look into a mirror, you can then estimate what you would look like. Also, you would be able to tell if the new position of the lid would enable you to see better with the increase of light that will enter the eye and if the decreased lid weight would be more comfortable. Blepharoplasty may be for you.
Blepharoplasty
It is important to be realistic about what blepharoplasty, or removal of this skin and/or fat, would obtain for you. It can result in actual medical improvement and significant enhancement of vision as well as cosmetic value. An easy way to determine what results can be achieved is to elevate your eyelids with your hand or with a piece of tape to the position they would be in following surgery. By looking in a mirror, you can then estimate what the post-surgery results would look like. This also gives you an opportunity to be able to ascertain if your vision would improve by the increased light that would enter the eye and by the decreased weight on your upper lid. By putting a piece of tape on the lid for an hour or two and then removing it, you would be aware of this change.
Since this is a gradual change, you may not be aware of the fatigue or discomfort resulting from this condition. Sometimes people get "tired" while reading or alter their pattern of living as a result of this subtle change. These are medical justification for the surgery. Many patients have these problems and we approach them when they are medically justifiable, as well as purely cosmetic. Lower eyelid "bags" are usually a family facial characteristic rather than an aging process. Removing wrinkles from the lower eyelid is only moderately effective, whereas removing "the bags" can be quite successful.
One also must be careful not to remove too much skin from either the upper or lower lids because significant complications can develop. As with all surgeries, it is important to understand the risks, complications and alternatives before electing to do the procedure. You must differentiate clearly between the medical indication and the cosmetic indications. This is not merely for insurance carrier purposes, but so that you can fully understand and have a reasonable expectation of what you can hope to achieve with surgery. Having a reasonable evaluation pre-operatively leads to satisfaction post-operatively.
Botox
Botox® Cosmetic - A Simple Solution to dynamic Fine Lines and WrinklesYears of laughing and smiling, frowning and raising your eyebrows can take their toll on your appearance. Suddenly, you notice crow's feet, brow furrows and forehead wrinkles that take away from your youthful appearance.
Crow's feet, frown lines and brow furrows are all caused by the contraction of muscles underneath the skin. In order to eliminate these wrinkles, the muscle must be stopped from contracting.
Botox is made from Botulinum toxin A, which is a purified protein known to be completely safe and effective for cosmetic application. Used for wrinkle removal since 1989 in over 3 million procedures, BOTOX® Cosmetic is now widely accepted and used by ophthalmologists around the world as a beauty enhancement.
BOTOX® Cosmetic, when injected into the muscle, selectively relaxes those particular muscles of facial expression and prevents them from contracting in an attempt to reduce dynamic lines and wrinkles. The result is a smooth, wrinkle-free appearance that gives your face a refreshed and relaxed look.
The Procedure
During a botox procedure, several small injections are made into the muscles where fine lines and wrinkles appear; the exact location of the injection depends of the location, size and use of the muscles.
An anesthetic cream will be applied to the area to be treated to minimize pain at the injection site.
Botox procedures typically take less than thirty minutes, with results lasting anywhere from about three to six months.
While it does not completely eradicate the signs of aging, it can greatly reduce the appearance of moderate to severe frown lines, smooth wrinkles and even prevent new ones from forming. Skin often appears smoother and more youthful-looking.
Results of botox injections are most noticeable about one week after the procedure.
Botox Risks and Botox Side Effects
There is no risk of contracting botulism since the injection is the sterile and purified protien only. If the Botox diffuses or migrates into the wrong area, inadvertant weakeing of other muscles can occur, resulting in drooping eyelid muscles (ptosis), which can last for up to several weeks.
Results of botox injections are most noticeable one to two weeks after the procedure.
While many women turn to botox to make their skin more youthful and attractive, it is important to note that botox procedures are not for everyone. People who should not have botox include: women who are pregnant or think they might be pregnant; people with infections on the area on which they want to treat; as well as those with potential allergies to the procedure. Similarly, women taking antibiotics, heart medication and other drugs should consult their doctor before undergoing any botox treatment.
Side effects of botox injections can include:
- headache
- respiratory problems
- infection
- nausea
- flu syndrome
- facial pain
- redness at the site of the injection
- muscle weakness
- flu-like symptoms
Before Getting Botox:
Ask any questions you might have about the procedure, no matter how insignificant you think they might be. Choose a medical office that has a sterile, professional environment.
For more information, please visit: www.botox.com and www.botoxcosmetic.com