Answers About Removing Facial Wrinkles

Who are likely candidates for wrinkle removing cosmetic procedures? Many adults past middle age could benefit from some type of procedure. Deep furrows between the eyebrows, forehead lines left after concentration or frowning, crows’ feet and smile lines surrounding the eyes and mouth all begin to appear over time, but can be removed with varying degrees of medical involvement and effectiveness. What are the options available for removing wrinkles? Some of the most popular options include the use of topical creams, injections of fillers or Botox, face lifts, and the use of lasers. These different options vary quite a bit when it comes to cost, the time required for the procedure and for recovery, and the length of time until another procedure is necessary. Creams are usually the least expensive option, but don’t provide the same degree of results that the other methods enjoy. Many people use creams as a preventative measure. Injections usually involve the use of collagen or other name brand fillers or involve the drug Botox. Collagen is a naturally occurring substance in the body. Over time the amount of collagen decreases and wrinkles begin to form. Filler injections replace this missing collagen and smooth out the wrinkles which have appeared. Botox works differently. Botox is a popular name for a drug that weakens the targeted muscles. This allows, or causes, the facial muscles to relax and the wrinkled areas of the face to smooth out. Facelifts involve an incision and the removal of tissue or muscle. Laser treatments are usually performed on people with fine lines or acne problems. When can I schedule an appointment? Depending on the type of cosmetic procedure you are interested in, the time necessary may be as short as ten minutes (injections) to over an hour (laser treatments.) Some treatments will require multiple visits allowing for consultation appointments and preparatory visits, such as the testing for allergies in the use of collagen fillers. Where are the procedures performed? Again, depending on the type of procedure you are planning, the location will vary. Injections may be performed quickly in the doctor’s office and face lifts will be usually be done at a hospital or surgical center. If your doctor has his or her own surgical facility, all of the appointments may be completed in the same building. How long is the recovery? Recovery time varies from procedure to procedure. There is virtually no recovery time in the use of Botox and little time is required after the injection of fillers. The recovery time for facelifts will take about two weeks, although this time period will be different from person to person. Laser procedures get the longest recovery time.