I asked several prestigious plastic surgeons what they wish their patients would know and understand before coming in.
They also shared some of their best tips to stay looking young.
While they are both injected into the face, these substances are chemically different and serve different purposes.
These neuromodulators include Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, among others.
They are patented variations of botulinum toxin.
The neuromodulators temporarily weaken or paralyze the specific muscles that are injected.
Botox does not fill out wrinkles, but fillers do.
“Fillers are used to fill out deficiencies or voids in the soft tissues,” Dr. Fedok explained.
“These can be fairly superficial and are truly dermal changes.
They can also be deeper and represent voids in the underlying fat complement in the facial soft tissues.”
Different fillers are formulated to work on various parts of the face for a variety of purposes, asDr.
“Fillers can be thick or thin in consistency and permanent or temporary in longevity.
Thicker fillers are used for deeper creases and folds and to provide more lift.
Thinner products are used for finer creases and lines and provide less support,” Dr. Kontis said.
“There are three main classes of product.
Hyaluronic acid, such as Restylane and Juvederm products, can be dissolved with an enzyme.
Calcium hydroxylapatite, such as Radiesse is thicker and cannot be dissolved.
Polymethylmethacrylate, such as BellaFill is permanent, but requires a skin test.”
It’s very important the person injecting your face is qualified to do so.
“Your injector must understand facial anatomy and the aging process to get to give you a natural-appearing result.
There are not bad filler products, just bad injectors.
[So if] someone looks overdone with fillers, they probably are.”
Too much Botox can also pose a problem, such as not being able to move your face.
But that is not the fault of Botox itself.
“Botox does not freeze the face,” Dr. Kontis explained.
Dr. Dadvand’s philosophy is to start early, even as young as 20 years old.
Those things can help a lot to smooth out those areas.
There are times when a doctor has to say “no.”
Dr. Fedok told me there are many reasons why a doctor may decline.
Dr. Kontis' approach to this problem is about managing the expectations of her patients.
Communication between doctor and patient is extremely important.
This really isn’t unusual for Dr. Fedok.
You may look tighter, but not youthful and rejuvenated.
Multiple procedures don’t always take place on the same day, but instead may be required over time.
Dr. Dadvand explained that it has to be the right fit for a woman’s body.
It’s also not about cup size.
“A lot of women come in and say they want to be a particular cup size.
I tell them not to worry about their cup size.
I’m not here to augment their cup size.
I’m here to augment their breast size.
If you are happy with the size of your breasts, who cares what the cup size is?
You will be happy with that too.
It should match your anatomy and not cause it to get stretched out too soon.”
Dr. Dadvand also advised that there are different types of implants.
“[The new] silicone implants are highly cohesive and made of a liquid gel silicone.
Silicone has a more natural feel.”
Fine lines and brown spots are often due to the sun.
You don’t need anything higher than SPF 50.
All it does is cost more.
It doesn’t give you any more protection, but you have to reapply it several times a day.
It wears off even indoors.
There is also no such thing as waterproof.
If you go in the water, you should probably reapply."
Dr. Dadvand is also a big proponent of retinols.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money at a department store for a good retinol product.
He suggests getting a prescription for Retin A or buying an over-the-counter retinol at the drugstore.
Differin is an example of this kind of a product.
He also suggests moisturizing to manage any dryness that occurs as a result of using retinol.
Old fashioned Oil of Olay does the trick.
Dr. Dadvand gives his patients a long list of things to avoid both before and after surgery.
“As far as surgery is concerned, smoking is the worst thing you might do.
I make all my patients stop a month before and usually for a month after.
There are two issues.
Smoking is the number one thing I tell them not to do.”
And if you want to look younger, but fear needles and knives, it’s pretty simple.
Listen to Dr. Dadvand.
Wear sunscreen every single day and do not forget to reapply.
