Wrinkle Reduction Treatments
*INDIVIDUAL RESULTS WILL VARY.
As years go by, the face acquires the tell-tale signs of old age: wrinkles, laugh lines, smile lines, dips, creases, and Crow’s Feet. Injectable fillers and facial fat transfer are used to combat some of these symptoms. Dr. Chugay does not believe in the effectiveness of collagen, however, he has solutions that will help your face recapture its youthful shape and beauty. He uses certain synthetic fillers (to achieve some degree of permanency), Crow’s Feet Reduction procedure, and Facial Fat Transfer, whereas most physicians opt for collagen. This discussion will help you learn more about the pros and cons of various options.
Collagen And Other Natural Fillers
Collagen is a naturally occurring protein that provides support to various parts of the human body: the skin, the joints, the bones, and the ligaments. Injectable collagen, patented by INAMED Aesthetics under the trade names Zyderm and Zyplast, is derived from purified bovine collagen.
Unfortunately, cow collagen is no substitute for your natural tissues. Realistically, as studies indicate, you should expect that after about four months Zyderm will not be detectable in the human dermis. Because of its increased stability due to cross-linking, Zyplast may persist for up to six months. The dermal augmentation that is initially achieved with either product is substantially lost within 6 to 9 months.
However temporary, collagen is usually benign. An allergic reaction is the primary risk of collagen. If you wish to obtain your first collagen injection, your doctor will have to perform an allergy skin test one month before injection and then monitor for signs of inching, swelling or other adverse reactions.
Collagen is primarily used for combating small lines and wrinkles. Bovine collagen is, however, not approved for injection into the deep tissues of the lip for lip augmentation or for use near the orbital rim.
The most important fact to remember about the so-called natural fillers is that the results are not permanent. The body eventually metabolizes the injected material. You should not expect the same long-lasting results that may be gained from surgery (such as Crow’s Feet Reduction), Fat Transfer, or synthetic fillers.
Is Financing Available?
Yes! Medical Financing is available on approved credit. We accept financing from CareCredit.com. For more information about our Financing options
Botox
Originally developed to treat blepharospasm (excessive blinking), BOTOX© is one of the most commonly used medications for wrinkle reduction. It weakens the fine muscles around the eyes and forehead that are responsible for frown lines and deep wrinkles that occur in these areas. The treatment consists of multiple small injections in the sites to be addressed. The effects of the medication are apparent within days and results generally last 3-6 months, after which time, re-injection is necessary.
Things to Look for In your Surgeon:
- Experience: With 2 generations of doctors, over 30,000 procedures and a lifetimes worth of combined experience, Dr. Nikolas V. Chugay and Dr. Paul N. Chugay have not only the required experience in various surgical and non surgical procedures but Nikolas has helped revolutionize the industry, and Paul is following very closely in his father’s footsteps, drawing on over 40 years of experience.
- Compatibility & Respect: Book a consultation with the doctor. Get a feel for how they treat you; whether they listen to you and what you want. It’s important to thoroughly discuss what you’re trying to achieve with your doctor so they have a clear, concise idea of what your goal is but it’s equally important that you respect your doctor’s experience and education enough to listen to their recommendations. You don’t want a doctor that doesn’t care about YOU.
- Specialization: Ask your doctor about other times they’ve performed the procedure you want.
Does Dr. Chugay Have Realistic Long-Term Options That Will Work?
In many cases, Dr. Chugay would recommend a cosmetic procedure (eg facelift, Crow’s feet reduction) as a superior substitute for collagen and BOTOX© injections. Facial fat transfer may also be an option in the appropriate patient. For those patients who would prefer to avoid surgery and continue with non-surgical means of wrinkle reduction, there are synthetic materials (e.g. Juvederm©, Restylane©, Sculptra©, Fibrin©), which provide lasting or longer-term results when used as fillers. They have been approved for certain uses and are viable long-lasting alternatives to collagen. Whatever look or result you may desire, the important thing to remember is that you have options. During a personal consultation, Dr. Chugay will discuss the best option for you.
