Stretch marks you wish you could erase? Redness you’d like to zap? Loose skin you’d like to tighten?
Whatever your cosmetic quandary, there are plenty of options and solutions available. To make the selection process easier, we’ve scheduled consultations with some of Little Rock’s top plastic surgeons and aestheticians. Skip the waiting room and find out how these experts can help you get your Skin Fix.
Wrinkles
by Gary Petrus, MD, Little Rock
• Certified by The American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and The American Board of Otolaryngology
• United States FDA Principal Investigator
“When you look in the mirror, what do you see?” Don’t be too critical or hard on yourself. Make sure that you do this test when you are rested, relaxed and have had plenty of water to drink.
At various ages, for most of us, we begin to notice changes in the skin of our face and neck, and even changes in our muscles and bone structure. Now, you probably feel that you have earned every line that you may see in your face or on your neck. In fact, you might be downright proud of them, like little badges of courage, and that is certainly okay.
It is sexist, and not fair at all: women get wrinkles and men get character. Of course, in my many years of practice, I have definitely seen many cases where the opposite is true. But, if you are someone who is bothered by the lines or wrinkles that you may be seeing, then read on.
The good news is that we are living in a boom time. This is a time of discovery and new ideas, a time of refinement of and improvement upon tried and true ideas. Never before have there been so many options for improving our appearance: from prescription skin care to laser treatments, from eyelash growing serum to new cosmetics, from wrinkle relaxers (like Botox or Dysport) to skin plumpers (like Restylane or Juvederm), and from the invention of new procedures to the refinement of reliable old ones.
While outward beauty is important for our own psyche and is undeniably important in our society, we know that true beauty comes from within.
Problems & Solutions
PROBLEM: Any age man or woman with fine lines, sun damaged skin, minor to moderate jowls, and creases from the nose to the corner of the mouth.
SOLUTION: In many cases, these problems can be treated with a Lunchtime Face Lift. This treatment is a combination of injectable fillers and wrinkle relaxers, individualized for each patient’s needs, that can often give the effect of a face lift. A skin care protocol may also be prescribed.
PROBLEM: Middle aged man or woman with excessive jowls, skin laxity, and neck problems including turkey gobbler deformity.
SOLUTION: In this situation, a standard Two Level Face Lift is often recommended, and treats both the face and neck. This procedure represents a refinement over previous face lifting surgery. Basically, the muscles of the face and neck (the lower level) are lifted and then stitched with permanent suture. Next, the skin layer (the upper level) is lifted and excess skin is removed. Since the muscle layer does the lifting, the skin layer is not pulled, therefore avoiding the tight or “wind blown” look of the past.
PROBLEM: Forty-plus year old man or woman with mild to moderate signs of facial aging and a double chin.
SOLUTION: A Mini Face Lift procedure might be recommended in this case. This is a modification of the two level face lift, using a shorter incision. This surgery is helpful when the main issues are facial skin sagging and jowling. The double chin is often treated with liposuction.
PROBLEM: Man or woman with a flat face or sagging of the cheeks.
SOLUTION: These cosmetic problems may be treated by a variety of methods. If the problem stems from drooping of the cheek pads, then Suture Suspension Mid Face Lift would likely be the best option for therapy. If you were born with small cheekbones, then Cheek Implants might be recommended.
If you would like to discuss these or other topics, call (501) 758-9800. Please be sure to ask office manager Kim Rogers, BSE, about the available forms of in-house financing.