wrinkles

Filling Eye Hollows with Dermal Fillers: What Are The Risks?

Deep hollows under your eyes can make you look tired and dull.

HA fillers can fill your hollows for a refreshed and more youthful look.

Filling eye hollows is a delicate business and there are risks. The biggest risk is bruising, lumps, overfilling and swelling. In some cases if not done properly it can actually make your lower eye area look worse.   Today there are more hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers in the aesthetic tool box and techniques for treating this delicate area have improved.

I’ve read many posts online about patients who have had fillers and are experiencing puffiness, lumps, bruising, swelling and a baggy look after the injections. Others have  good results. I’ve also experienced good and bad results.  Please choose your injector wisely. This is a very difficult area to treat.

Performing “tear trough” treatments to the hollow area under the eyes requires meticulous technique.  When done correctly the results are very satisfying.  The most important factor is to go to an injector who is has a lot of experience in this area.

Below are some guidelines to consider before you jump into filling your eye hollows (tear trough).

Parts of this post was originally written in 20o9 when I had my tear troughs treated for the first time.

A business colleague had her tear trough area filled by a local plastic surgeon in San Francisco, CA .  I was very impressed with her results and decided to fill my eye hollows, for a more youthful look.  At the time there were only two HA fillers on the market Juvederm and Restylane. Although both fillers were very similar Juvederm tends to create more puffiness in the eye area than Restylane, as it absorbs more water. My surgeon choose Juvederm which surprised me because Restylane was the preferred filler for this area. However, I trusted his judgement.

Afterwards I very bruised, swollen and lumpy. I waited patiently a couple of weeks hoping it would resolve. The bruising diminished but the puffiness persisted. I looked like I had been punched in the face and knew that OI needed a correction. Fortunately HA fillers can easily be dissolved with hyaluronidase. (more…)

Advertisement

The Differences and Similarities Between Laser Treatments and IPL

If you are interested in exploring clinical treatments to reverse wrinkles, sags, and other skin problems, you have probably heard of both IPL and Laser treatments, but you might be thinking that they are the same thing. That isn’t the case at all. It’s important to understand the differences between the two before you decide whether either one is a treatment that you should try.

The Fundamental Similarities Between the Two

There are a few fundamental similarities between the two types of treatments. One is that they both produce a form of light during treatment. However, the term “laser” stands for “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation,” which is not the same thing as IPL treatment. IPL uses a non-laser light source.

Another similarity between the two is that versions of the devices are made for at home use and other, stronger versions of them are produced for clinical use. That means that you have the option of using either one to treat yourself at home or going to a clinic to have a professional technician perform the treatment. But you have to understand that you won’t get quick or consistent results at home that are the same as those you would get in a clinic.

Another good example of how they are similar is in the types of conditions they can treat. Both are commonly used for laser hair removal, but they can also be used to treat a wide variety of other issues associated with aging, including wrinkles and sagging skin.

The Major Difference Between the Two

The major difference between the two types of treatments is that IPL is a mild treatment that is usually used on a larger area of skin at a time. On the other hand, most laser devices are precise machines that penetrate the skin with pinpoint accuracy for very specific results. Laser devices also produce a greater degree of results, in general, because they generate more heat than IPL machines. Granted, there are exceptions on both sides. For example, laser skin resurfacing is generally done on a large area of skin.

(more…)

Get Rid of Dull Skin: Exfoliation Tips

 Is your skin looking dull?  An easy way to get your skin glowing again is to exfoliate your skin regularly. Exfoliation removes the dead skin cells which causes your skin to look dull.   It is also necessary for clear skin, free  of acne and blackheads. There are many ways to exfoliate, both your body and face.  Let’s talk about facial exfoliation.

1. Clarisonic system is the easiest way to get your glow back. Used daily you will see a significant difference in your skin.  There are different heads that you can buy, depending on your skin’s sensitivity.  I love mine and have had it for several years. Definitely  worth the investment. Clarisonic prices start at about $125.00 http://www.clarisonic.com/ Note that some kits come with cleansers. There are many options in OTC cleansers. My recommendation is to buy the machine only, with extra heads.

2. Buy a cleanser that contains glycolic or lactic acid.  These ingredients create exfoliation and cell turnover. You can find many professional brand name products online.  Or ask an esthetician or dermatologist for a recommendation.

3. Use a OTC Retinol product or  Retin-A Rx or  Tazorac Rx are also good choices. Your skin will shed the old cells and build new cells. Start off with a low dose of .05%. Using Retinoids will  also prevent acne and blackheads from forming. Retinols build collagen and ellastin necessary for healthy, youthful looking skin.

4. Get a chemical peel 2x a year. Change of seasons is a good time.  Peel are sometimes given in a series, this will depend on how much sun damage you have.  Time the peel accordingly, because you may be red and peeling for several days. Once your skin has peeled you will be amazed at how youthful, healthy and glowing it is.  Go to a licensed esthetician, RN, or Physician Assistant  who works either in a medi-spa, dermatologist or  plastic surgeon’s office.  There are many chemical peels available today. There are superficial peels, medium depth peels and deep peels. The strength of the peel will depend on what results you are seeking, your skin type and how much down- time you are willing to take. TCA (trichloroacetic acid)  peels and Glycolic acid peels are the most popular.   Chemical peels are recommended for  Hyperpigmentation, Sun damage, texture, pre-cancerous lesions, acne, lines, mild wrinkles, lip Creases. There are pre-cautionary measures to take prior to having a TCA peel, check with your skincare specialist first.

GO GET YOUR GLOW!!