Facial Rejuvenation (nonsurgical) in Baton Rouge

Evolving research and understanding of the anatomy of facial aging has led to the concept that aging results in a loss of soft tissue as well as bony volume. Results of surgery without correction of the volume deficiencies has often given less than the desired outcome. Rejuvenation of the face must involve an understanding of the three dimensional facial volumes and contours. Optimal improvement of facial aging must restore the areas of facial volume loss.

Injectable Shaping Agents

BOTOX

BOTOX (botulinum toxin type A) was approved for cosmetic use in 2002. Another similar agent is marketed as Dysport. Botox is nerve blocker that selectively decreases the contraction of the injected muscle. Botox can be used to reshape the face by decreasing the contraction some facial muscles and not others. The cosmetic result is a re-balancing of the activity of the facial muscles.

For example, Dr. Williams can lift the lateral brow by selectively injecting the lateral eyelid "crows feet" areas and the forehead medial to the lateral brow.

Soft Tissue Fillers

Fat Injection

Fat may be harvested from an area of adiposity and then injected into areas that have loss of or lack soft tissue fullness. The fat that is harvested are living adipose cells.. These fat cells that are harvested, filtered and washed will under proper conditions and technique remain viable in the location of fat transfer. The technique of layering injections into deep tissues and into muscle and then into the superficial layers restores soft tissue volume in a three dimensional fashion.

Fat transfer is used to improve and correct lack of soft tissue fullness. It is not used to correct fine aging lines of the face. Fat tissue is soft and natural feeling. The most common areas for fat injection in the face are around the eyelids and the cheeks.

The major problem with fat transfer is the variability of the amount of fat that will remain after the initial transfer. This is not only dependent upon the fat transfer technique, but also upon the areas injected, as well a person's general body habitus and metabolism. For example fat grafting of the lips and around the mouth often gives inconsistent results because of the significant movement of these areas. Weight gain or weight loss is also another factor causing either a decrease or possible increase in the amount of fat in the area treated with fat grafting.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid approved for injection by the FDA in 2003 is a molecule that is found between the skin and the connective tissue beneath the skin The connective tissue is a network made up of collagen, elastic fibers, and hyaluronic acid. This network creates volume beneath the skin and gives it support and suppleness. With aging the amount collagen, elastic fibers, and hyaluronic acid decreases. This results in the loss of soft tissue fullness and an aging skin appearance.

Hyaluronic acid injections help restore this important component of the skin that decreases with age. Since hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance that is present throughout our body, prior testing for allergy is not necessary. The primary mechanism of action of hyaluronic acid is that it acts as a filler. It acts like a sponge by absorbing and holding water.

The newer hyaluronic acid products such as Juvaderm Ultra Plus last about nine to twelve months. The injected areas are soft and feel natural. These products provide excellent results for lip enhancement and improvement of the nasal labial cheek creases and around the mouth.