Why is Juvederm Voluma So Popular?

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Enjoy Savings Now on Juvederm Voluma

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If you’re of a certain age, you’ve likely noticed how your face is changing. More specifically, it appears to be shifting downward. Age and gravity work together to make that happen. And it all comes down to the fat in your face.

Once upon a time, when you were younger, the fat in your face was more evenly distributed to effectively plump your forehead, cheeks, temples, and other areas around your eyes and mouth.

But as the ravages of time took over, those fat pads lost volume and your face becomes deflated. It’s not just you though! It happens to all of us.

So thank goodness for Juvederm Voluma. It takes the place of that lost fat and adds volume back to your face for smoother and younger-looking skin.

 

Juvederm Voluma

 

How Does Juvederm Voluma Work?

It might sound like some sort of miracle fix, but we can assure you, there’s no snake oil here. To sweeten the deal, the whole process is fairly simple.

Simply put, Voluma is a gel that’s made from a modified form of hyaluronic acid (HA). It’s injected into the cheek area to gently lift the skin and restore volume.

In the past, plastic surgeons used fat injections to add volume to sagging faces. The line of thinking was – if it’s the fat that’s losing volume, then just replace it with new fat. There were a few problems with fat injections though.

First, fat can be unpredictable so performing fat injections required significant experience to achieve consistent results. And second, while fat injections promised to serve as a permanent filler, many patients were dissatisfied when this didn’t prove to be the case.

Using injectable HA such as Juvederm Voluma, however, is safe and predictable. It does not require anesthesia, and it produces immediate, long-lasting results that are more natural. That’s because HA is found naturally through out the body.

The primary role of HA is to attract water to keep fat, muscles, bones, and skin hydrated. But it also plays a part in collagen production in the skin. Thus, injecting HA into the face not only plumps the face and reduces smile lines, wrinkles, and sagging, but it also triggers the production of collagen to add even more fullness.

What You Can Expect from the Treatment

Before you embark on your Juvederm Voluma treatment, you’ll have an in-depth consultation with your board-certified plastic surgeon. This is your opportunity to explain your specific desires. The doctor will then go over all options with you to determine the best plan.

The procedure itself consists of Voluma filler being injected deep into your facial tissue. The filler is formulated with lidocaine, a local anesthetic, to ensure a more comfortable treatment. The amount of time it takes will depend on the complexity of your treatment. But a simple treatment can be done in as little as 15 to 20 minutes. Your doctor can give you a ballpark estimate for your situation.

After treatment, you’ll need to avoid makeup for up to 12 hours. Keep yourself protected from the sun (which you should be doing anyhow!) and avoid any activity or position that may put pressure on the treated area for one week.

And that’s it! Who knew turning back time could be so simple?

Save Money on Juvederm Voluma

If you’re intrigued by the simplicity of Juvederm Voluma, then now is the time to take advantage of this amazing non-surgical procedure.

Right now, and through the end of August, you can get you can get two syringes for just $1100. That’s a savings of $500!

So contact us today for a free consultation. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to get that youthful glow and suppleness back into your face with Juvederm Voluma.

How Effective are BOTOX® and JUVÉDERM®?

Are you growing weary of the lines and wrinkles on your face? Does it seem like new ones show up every day?

 

Some people will tell you that those smile lines just prove that you smile a lot. Or that your crow’s feet lend a more distinctive look.

 

But you know the truth. And it makes no difference anyhow if you’re not satisfied with how your face is aging.

 

If you’re not yet ready to commit to going under the knife for a facelift, you do have non-surgical options with BOTOX® or JUVÉDERM®.

 

And they’re incredibly effective.

 

We’ll take a look at the many options available through these procedures.

 

The Magic of BOTOX®

 

First, we need to clarify something about wrinkles.

 

To you, a wrinkle is probably a wrinkle. They’re all the same and you don’t want any of them.

 

But there are actually two kinds of wrinkles. Static and dynamic.

 

Static wrinkles are the lines and folds that are always there on your face. Dynamic wrinkles, on the other hand, occur when you use your muscles to form facial expressions.

 

Prime examples of dynamic wrinkles are the lines in the forehead and around the brow, as well as crow’s feet around the eyes.

 

BOTOX® is used specifically to smooth out dynamic wrinkles only. But how does it work?

 

BOTOX® is a prescription medication that, once injected, blocks signals from your nerves to your muscles. This keeps the targeted muscles from contracting; the very action that produces fine lines and wrinkles.

 

When the muscles relax, you’re left with a a smooth and wrinkle-free appearance.

 

Because of the presence of Botulinum toxin in this medication, the question plastic surgeons are most often asked is, “how safe is BOTOX®?”

 

The quick answer is “completely.”

 

BOTOX® has been used for almost thirty years now. During that time, there has never been a recorded instance of botulism or paralysis from BOTOX®. And the FDA considers BOTOX® to be a safe, effective way to reduce wrinkles and smooth out fine lines.

 

It is also a very simple procedure.

 

After the BOTOX® injections, there is little to no downtime. Although patients should avoid strenuous activity for the rest of the day, they are able to return to their everyday life as soon as they feel comfortable.

 

Why Use JUVÉDERM®?

 

And after years of living, laughing, eating, yawning, talking, etc., lines and wrinkles become etched into the areas around the nose and mouth. These are static wrinkles.

 

Smile lines develop and the skin around the nose and mouth (known medically as nasolabial folds) begin to sag.These static wrinkles and folds can easily add years to your appearance.

 

JUVÉDERM® works to fill the lines and firm up the folds in this parenthesis area around your nose and mouth.

 

Treatment with JUVÉDERM® is quick – lasting only about 15 minutes. Using a very fine needle, your plastic surgeon injects JUVÉDERM® into the area being treated. And since it includes the anesthetic lidocaine, there is little to no discomfort during injections.

 

Patients see results immediately, though there might be some swelling. Once that subsides, results continue to improve.

 

There is minimal to no downtime associated with JUVÉDERM®. In fact, most patients are able to return to work right after treatment. To ensure optimal results, however, patients are advised to protect their skin from the sun for 10 days.

 

It’s a small price to pay for a more youthful appearance.

 

What Is JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® XC?

 

With some areas of the face, the issue isn’t always wrinkles.

 

The actual structure and volume of your face becomes less as you age. That’s why JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® XC was developed.

 

This filler uses hyaluronic acid (HA) to replenish missing volume – particularly in the upper cheek area, also known as the hollow, the apple, or the apex.

 

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance that’s produced by your body. Large amounts of it are found in your skin where its function is to retain water to keep your skin well lubricated and moist.

 

As you age, your body makes less of this substance. This particular injection serves to replenish the HA and restore a firmer appearance around the mid-face, or any other area that needs volume restored.

 

During the procedure, JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® XC is injected into the predetermined treatment areas. This may result in mild redness and swelling near the injection sites that will disappear within a few days.

 

Results will continue to improve over the course of the next several weeks.

 

The Purpose of JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA®

As the years pass, it’s not unusual to lose volume in your lips as well. But the skin in this area, as well as around the eyelids, is much more delicate than other areas of the face. Static lines that show up in these areas require a gentler approach.

 

In these instances, your plastic surgeon or skin care specialist might recommend JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA®.

 

Also made up of HA, the particles in JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA® are smaller than those in JUVÉDERM® VOLUMA® XC so that they can effectively treat finer lines and more delicate areas where the skin is thinner.

 

As with the other two JUVÉDERM® treatments, injection is done with a thin needle and patients can expect to experience minimal to no discomfort during the procedure.

 

There may be mild redness, tenderness, or swelling after the procedure which will subside within a couple of weeks. It is also recommended that patients avoid strenuous activity or direct sun exposure to the treatment area for the first 24 hours following treatment.

 

Patients notice results immediately after the injection. And these only continue to improve over time as any residual swelling subsides.

 

BOTOX® and JUVÉDERM® Give You a Reason to Smile

 

Surgical procedures are fantastic for rejuvenating your face.

 

But non-surgical procedures like BOTOX® and JUVÉDERM® can be just as effective. And without the recovery time.

 

It all depends on your unique situation.

 

So contact us today to talk with a board-certified plastic surgeon about which option would be best for you.

 

It’s almost as good as turning back the hands of time.

 

 

Juvéderm Volbella®

Juvéderm Volbella®

As we age, our lips can lose definition and volume, and lines can form around the mouth. Juvéderm Volbella is a dermal filler designed to add natural-looking fullness to the lips and smooth away lines around the mouth, also known as perioral lines. Made up of hyaluronic acid, Juvéderm Volbella’s particles are smaller than other fillers, so it can successfully treat fine lines and delicate areas around the mouth.





Juvéderm Voluma® XC

Juvéderm Voluma® XC

As you age, you start to lose structure and volume in your face. Juvéderm Voluma XC can be injected in the upper cheek area also known as the hollow, the apple, or the apex. This filler replenishes the missing volume in your face using hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring substance that adds youthful volume to our skin. Patients in the Novi area trust Star Plastic Surgery to provide the best care for beautiful, natural-looking results.

Juvéderm®

Juvéderm®

As we age, many men and women experience problem areas around their nose and mouth. These smile lines and nasolabial folds often add years to your appearance. Juvéderm can be injected in the parenthesis by your nose and mouth to help turn back the hands of time, without surgery! It can also be used for lip enhancement to plump your lips. At Star Plastic Surgery, we can help you look and feel your best with this simple procedure.




Facial Fillers Versus a Facelift

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There comes a time in every person’s life when, as much as you might still feel like you’re in your 20s, your face tells a different story.

While you may not achieve that youthful look of your 20s again, you needn’t be resigned to the visual ravages of aging. So if you’re considering taking action, you may be wondering what your options are.

It comes down to facial fillers versus a facelift. Each of these procedures has its benefits and which one you choose will depend on your specific situation.

Best Candidates for Dermal Fillers

In terms of facial rejuvenation, dermal fillers (or injectables) are becoming more and more popular. Especially because they don’t require going under the knife.

Even so, fillers have their limits. They are not effective for the finely etched-in lines that occur with more advanced age.

For younger patients who are in the early stages of wrinkles or collagen loss though, fillers are the less extreme option. They are minimally invasive and can effectively restore lost volume. Restoring volume can also help to eliminate wrinkles and drooping skin. Along with filling in newer wrinkles, fillers can also augment thin cheeks and fill hollow temples.

Another plus is that there is virtually no downtime – although they do require multiple visits for maintenance. But they’re a great way to refresh for a more youthful appearance.

Types of Dermal Injectables

Dermal injectables fall into two categories. The first are neurodilators such as Botox or other similar neurotoxins that work by “freezing” overactive muscles in the face to treat dynamic wrinkles. Then there are dermal fillers such as Teoxane and Juvederm products which are hyaluronic acid fillers that address static wrinkles such as nasolabial folds (i.e. laugh lines) and the marionette line folds that develop between the corners of the mouth and continue down to the jaw line.

Both types of injectables can help stave off the need for facial surgery in younger patients. For older patients, they can also enhance the results of a facelift.

Speaking of which…

Benefits of a Facelift

Though fillers do a terrific job of replacing fat in the lips or cheeks, only a facelift can actually remove excess skin around the jowls and then tighten the skin. This can render a remarkable difference in your appearance.

Facelifts are more effective than fillers in treating severe signs of aging. Through repositioning the facial fat pads, this procedure improves facial volume and contours. And when working with a skilled board-certified plastic surgeon, you can be sure that any incisions will be carefully hidden for a more natural-looking appearance.

Best Candidates for a Facelift

For patients with deep wrinkles, or excess or sagging skin, a facelift is a better option to address these problems for the long-term.

Unlike fillers though, a facelift is a surgical procedure. Therefore, it will require downtime for recovery. The best candidates for this procedure should also be in overall good health, still have some skin elasticity, not smoke, and (perhaps most importantly) have realistic expectations.

Facial Fillers Versus a Facelift – Which One is Right For You?

You don’t have to face the question of facial fillers versus a facelift on your own.

If you’re considering which is the better option for you, then contact us today for a free consultation. Our qualified and trained professionals will point you in the right direction.

And soon enough, looking in the mirror will bring a smile to your more youthful face.

How Do Dermal Fillers Differ From BOTOX®?

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Given that both BOTOX® and dermal fillers are minimally invasive and given through injections, it might seem they’re very similar. They’re actually quite different.

Dermal fillers differ from BOTOX® in a number of ways. For starters, BOTOX® aims to soften and smooth wrinkles. And while dermal fillers can also remove wrinkles, they’re utilized for plumping lips and enhancing shallow contours as well.

As such, dermal fillers aren’t one-size-fits-all. There is a wide variety of different types that tackle specific aesthetic goals.

The Myriad Types of Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers not only differ in chemical makeup and longevity, but they also have varying degrees of softness. So, for instance, a patient who wants to enhance cheekbones will need a sturdier filler than one who wishes to plump his or her lips.

We’ll do a little exploration here of four of the most common types of dermal fillers and their purpose.

  1. Hyaluronic Acid (HA)

You’ve likely heard about the many wonders of hyaluronic acid. It appears in many OTC products that promise to decrease wrinkles and leave you with younger looking skin. It also naturally occurs in the body.

The primary role of HA in the body is to attract water to keep fat, muscles, bones, and skin hydrated. But it also plays a part in collagen production in the skin. Thus, injecting HA into the face not only plumps the face and reduces smile lines, wrinkles, and sagging, but it also triggers the production of collagen to add even more fullness.

As such, it’s become one of the most popular injectable fillers on the market. An injectable HA such as Juvederm might therefore be the choice for improving deep smile lines, smoker’s lines around the mouth, marionette lines, deep tear troughs, and cheekbone and jawline enhancement. But it’s also effective for treating cheek depressions, scars from acne, burns, or wounds, and redefining lip border.

  1. Calcium Hydroxylapatite

Similar to HA, calcium hydroxylapatite is found in the human body. It occurs naturally in human bones. Injectable dermal fillers that contain this mineral-like compound are biosynthetically produced. That means they use no animal products and no skin testing is required.

Calcium hydroxylapatite has a long safety record and is often used to address moderate to severe creases, nasolabial folds, and marionette lines around the mouth. It’s also used to enhance fullness of the cheeks and other facial contours.

  1. Polyalkylimide

Polyalkylimide is not found in the human body. Rather, it’s a semi-permanent dermal filler plastic surgeons may choose to treat deeper wrinkles or depressed scars. It’s also effective for plumping thin lips, replacing volume lost due to age, and enhancing the jawline and cheekbones.

Once polyalkylimide gel is injected, collagen slowly forms around it for about a month. Eventually, the gel capsule is completely surrounded by collagen that the body produced. While the injection remains stable, but can be removed if necessary.

Although polyalkylimide doesn’t come from the body, it’s highly biocompatible so no allergy test is required.

  1. Polylactic Acid

A completely synthetic dermal filler, polylactic acid triggers the body to produce collagen and is known as a stimulator. As such, results from polylactic acid appear gradually and over a period of a few months rather than quickly. It usually requires three treatments and with each one, there is re-stimulation of collagen production.

Polylactic acid is non-toxic and biodegradable. It’s been used for 40 years as material for sutures. This type of filler is often chosen for filling laugh lines, as well as plumping thin lips and treating deep nasolabial folds around the nose and mouth.

So Then How Do Dermal Fillers Differ From BOTOX®?

Without getting too deep into the weeds, BOTOX® is a purified form of the botulinum toxin that’s derived from bacteria. Though that may sound a little scary, when used in small amounts, it can effectively help to correct wrinkles such as crow’s feet, horizontal lines on the forehead, and glabella wrinkles

One of the major ways BOTOX® differs from dermal fillers is that it works by blocking nerve signals in the muscles – leaving the injected muscles temporarily paralyzed. The lack of movement allows for wrinkles to be reduced and softened`.

Because it works to correct wrinkles that result from movement (i.e. dynamic wrinkles), BOTOX® doesn’t repair fine lines or wrinkles caused by sagging or loss of plumpness in the face. Such “static wrinkles” show up as lines in the cheeks, neck, and jowl areas.

Which One Is Right For You?

Now that you know how dermal fillers differ from BOTOX®, you have a better understanding of how each works.

So if you’re interested in achieving a more youthful appearance through one or the other, contact us today for a free consultation. If you’re opting for a dermal filler, the surgeon will sit down with you to determine the best type and volume needed based on your aesthetic goals.

Could You Benefit From a Lip Lift?

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If you feel that your lips are smaller and lacking some of the kissable fullness from your youth, you’re not imagining it. It’s among the drawbacks of getting older.

As we age the upper lip gets thinner from fat loss. Meanwhile, the upper jaw bone continues to slowly erode. The space between the lips and nose gets longer. All of this can result in an undesirable caved-in appearance in the middle of the face.

But before you start researching face lifts, you may find your solution with a lip lift.

What Is a Lip Lift?

As the name implies, a lip lift involves lifting the tissue below the nose and above the upper lip to restore a balance between the upper and lower lips. It’s an outpatient procedure that’s typically performed under local anesthesia since there is only minimal pain associated with this type of cosmetic surgery.

During the procedure, an incision is placed under the nostril sills and around the alae (“wings” of the nostrils). The plastic surgeon then removes a few millimeters of skin below the incision until the desired lift is obtained. The scar is hidden inside the nasal sill and crosses the columella at the base – creating a very inconspicuous scar.

A lip lift decreases the length from the base of the nose to the lips known as the philtrum. (This area is also known as Cupid’s Bow because the double curve of the upper lip resembles the bow of Cupid, the Roman god of love.)

In addition, the procedure also unfurls the upper lip to make it more voluptuous, while increasing how much of the upper central teeth show when the lips are in repose. All of this lends to a more youthful and pronounced appearance of the lips.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

If you’re looking to only add volume to your lips, you may find all you need from a cosmetic solution such as a filler. But when you want to add height AND volume, you’ll get way more from a lip lift. And unlike fillers, a lip lift requires no upkeep and provides much longer-lasting results.

A lip lift is often performed on older people who want to reduce that aforementioned space that has increased with age between their lips and nose.

Yet younger people who aren’t able to achieve their desired look from fillers alone also benefit from a lip lift. And patients of any age who don’t react well to the substances in fillers may also opt for a lip lift.

And it’s often a choice for patients seeking facial rejuvenation as part of feminization or masculinization procedure.

In addition, there are those who simply want more “tooth show” than their lips currently allow. A lip lift will resolve this.

Could You Benefit From a Lip Lift?

Your lips say so much – even when they’re not speaking!

So if you’re dissatisfied with the lack of fullness in your lips, self-conscious about the space between your nose and lips, or struggle with a caved-in appearance of the middle of your face, contact us today for a free consultation.

You could be the perfect candidate for a lip lift.

Introducing the RHA Collection

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In the worlds of plastic surgery and skincare in the United States, we’ve grown familiar with injectables brand names such as Juvederm. And for good reason.

Juvederm is a hyaluronic filler know for effectively smoothing and plumping areas of the face where there’s a lack of volume.

Yet for the past five years in Europe, doctors and skincare specialists have utilized a new family of fillers to great success. They’re known as the RHA Collection and are now available here in the United States.

And they’re truly revolutionary.

Turn up the Volume

As we age, the production of hyaluronic acid at the cellular level steadily decreases. The lack of this means a decrease in elasticity. And all too soon, we start to notice sagging skin and stagnant facial wrinkles.

Like Juvederm, the RHA collection consists of an innovative hyaluronic acid formula that targets these areas to add volume and rejuvenate your skin. The result? A more youthful and exuberant appearance.

But where the RHA Collection has an advantage is with dynamic lines and folds that develop.

Your Face Is Constantly in Motion

Well, except maybe when you’re asleep. But the point is, decades of movements such as talking, laughing, squinting, smiling, and frowning create what’s known as dynamic wrinkles and folds.

These are more difficult to treat than stagnant wrinkles because dermal fillers up until now often relied on immobilizing muscles. This could cause treated areas to appear stiff and left patients feeling challenged to emote through facial cues – which is an important skill.

The RHA Collection fillers are FDA-approved and specially formulated to treat these dynamic lines and folds, while simultaneously allowing for the gel to move easily with the facial muscles without immobilizing them. This produces an outcome that is far more youthful and natural in appearance.

What Does the RHA Collection Refer to?

The term collection refers to three different treatment options; RHA 2, RHA 3, and RHA 4.

RHA 2 is best for perioral wrinkles. These are the lines that occur around the mouth and lips and are often the first to show up on the face. RHA 2 may also be used for the radial cheek lines, as well as for smoothing at a more surface level.

RHA 3 gets in a little deeper and is often used for the wrinkles that appear at the corners of the mouth (also known as commissures), as well as the nasolabial folds that are developing around the nose.

For deeper nasolabial folds, as well as lines in the lower face and jawline, RHA 4 is recommended. It’s also a top choice for contouring the cheeks in the midface.

In a nutshell, the RHA product your skincare specialist or plastic surgeon chooses will be the one that most closely resembles the natural product in your body. They will consider which one offers the most flexibility in usage, natural results, and longevity.

Take Advantage of This European Treasure

Are you ready to see what the RHA Collection can offer you?

Contact us today for a free consultation with one of our specialists to find out how RHA could give your face the youthful boost it needs and you want.

When all is said and done, you’ll look younger, your skin will be brighter, and you’ll smile and laugh with confidence.

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