Botox®, Fillers & Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery

Approximately 90% of the fine lines and wrinkles we experience with age are the result of long-term exposure to sunlight and the effects of ultraviolet radiation on the skin. This process of “photoaging” is accompanied by the natural decrease in the production of skin oils, thinning and loss of elasticity of the skin as a result of depletion of collagen in the skin. These more superficial changes are usually accompanied by a loss of tissue beneath the skin, most particularly fat. As one matures the face begins to lose its youthful fullness and we find the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Facial lines and wrinkles may be grouped into two types—dynamic wrinkles—those that form when muscles contract, and static wrinkles, which are lines or depressions that exist even when there is no muscle action or pull on the skin. Dynamic wrinkles are best treated with Botox® Cosmetic, whereas static wrinkles are best treated with substances that plump up and fill out the problem lines. These substances are known medically as "dermal fillers." Depending on the type of lines and wrinkles that are causing you concern, you may be a candidate for Botox® Cosmetic alone, or Botox® Cosmetic together with Juvederm™.

About Botox® Cosmetic

Botox® Cosmetic has become one of the fastest, if not the fastest growing cosmetic procedure since its FDA approval in 2002. While we are all searching for the “fountain of youth”, the lure of cosmetic surgery is somewhat dull compared to lure of non-surgical procedures that can produce cosmetic results that possible help delay the need for actual cosmetic surgery. Botox® certainly is the choice of patients who wish to “turn back the hands of time” without immediately choosing surgery.

Botox® Cosmetic is a highly purified injectable protein derived from the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. The FDA has approved Botox® as a non-surgical treatment that can help smooth facial lines and wrinkles and help you look your best. It has been approved as safe and effective for people 18-65 years of age when injected by a physician. By injecting very small quantities of the protein into the facial muscles that cause “dynamic wrinkles”, Botox® Injections reduce the activity of the muscles and their ability to “pull” on the overlying skin and create wrinkles and furrows.

Botox® Cosmetic is used most often to treat the furrows between your eyebrows, the “worry” wrinkles that can appear as a “washboard” across your forehead and the crow’s feet wrinkles at the lateral corners of your eyes.

The Botox® treatment consists of placing a number of tiny injections into the facial areas of concern to you. Within several days, the effect will begin to be noticeable-and within a week or so you will experience the full effect. Typically the effect of Botox® Cosmetic lasts up to 4 months at which time it is necessary to reinject those areas of concern.

The most obvious reasons that Botox® Cosmetic has achieved such popularity are that it is affordable, has no recovery time requirement and has none of the risks or health complications typically associated with cosmetic plastic surgery.

The fact that Botox® Cosmetic is non-invasive has great appeal to patients who lead busier and busier lives. Whether actively involved in the business world or actively involved taking kids to soccer practice, many patients do not have the time to spend recovering from a cosmetic procedure. Botox® fills that gap easily. Botox® Injections can be administered in 20 minutes in between car pool obligations or in between business meetings with no recovery time. Botox® is ideal for our active lifestyles because because, "down time" is not an option for most patients today. Since Botox® is non-invasive, it requires no anesthesia. Even though the effects of Botox® Cosmetic are not permanent, the vast majority of patients do not seem to mind the need to repeat Botox® Injections as often as every 3-6 months in order to maintain their desired appearance.  Based on the non-invasive nature of the Botox® treatment, its high margin of safety, it’s “no down time” recovery and it’s affordability, it is easy to understand why our patients ask for Botox® in ever increasing numbers.

About Dermal Fillers - Juvéderm™

For patients who have fine lines and wrinkles that are deeper or fixed-“static wrinkles”-our physicians may recommend the use of a non-surgical cosmetic treatment option called a ”dermal filler”. Dermal fillers such as Juvéderm™ act to “plump up” and “fill out” wrinkles Juvéderm™ has undergone extensive testing and have received FDA approval in the United States. Juvéderm™ is derived from a substance called Hyaluronic Acid. Hyaluronic Acid is a proven biocompatible material. We have used Hyaluronic Acid during cataract surgery for over 25 due to its high level of compatibility with living tissue. Thus the use of Hyaluronic Acid has proven to be quite safe. Juvéderm™ is injected into the deeper fixed wrinkles pretty much anywhere on the face including the forehead, between the eyebrows, around the lips and in the crease between your nose and mouth. By “layering’ the injection, our physicians can achieve remarkable results in eliminating wrinkles. The effects of Juvéderm™ may last from 3 to 12 months depending on the area and the amount injected.

About Cosmetic Eyelid Plastic Surgery
Blepharoplasty or Eyelifts

Your eyes are an important aspect of your appearance, and one of the first areas to show signs of aging. For some, this can occur as early as your twenties to early thirties. If your eyes project a lack of energy due to overhanging skin and puffiness, you may appear tired or older. Conversely, if the eyes are more open and relatively free of creases and folds, you will probably seem more rested and youthful. For these reasons, many people today, of all ages are interested in cosmetic eyelid plastic surgery-called blepharoplasty or eyelifts. Blepharoplasty can be performed on the upper, the lower or both eyelids.

• Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty
  Upper eyelid Blepharoplasty involves the improvement of two characteristics of the aging upper eyelid area. The first is correction of excess skin of the upper eyelid, a condition referred to as "hooding of the upper lid." The second condition that can be corrected is the puffiness that is seen in the inner corner and middle of the eyelid as a result of herniation (pushing forward) of fat located in these areas above the eye. Upper eyelid Blepharoplasty is commonly performed at the same time as lower eyelid Blepharoplasty. Upper eyelid Blepharoplasty does not correct crow’s feet, eliminate dark circles under your eyes, or lift sagging eyebrows.
  
  
• Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty
  Lower eyelid Blepharoplasty is a procedure performed to improve the appearance of the lower eyelids, which is the anatomic area that extends from the lower lid eyelashes to the bony rim of the eye socket.
  
  If there is a herniation of fat present, there are two different surgical approaches to remove the fat. The more common technique utilizes an inconspicuous incision that runs just beneath the lash line. An alternative is to enter the fat pockets through an incision made in the inner lining of the lower eyelid. If excess skin needs to be removed, this can only be accomplished through an external approach. The procedure is long lasting and usually never has to be repeated.

You might benefit from eyelid surgery or Blepharoplasty if:

• Your upper eyelids appear hooded

• It's become increasingly difficult to put on eye makeup

• Even after you've had a good night's sleep people ask you if you're tired

• You have puffiness under your eyes that never goes away

• You are developing bulges in the corners of your upper eyelids

• You have trouble keeping your eyes open

• Your upper eyelids always feel heavy

• Your eyes appear to have become smaller

• Your eye makeup smudges very easily

• You've lost the fold of your upper eyelid

• Your peripheral vision is decreased

• You have excess skin and crepe like wrinkles beneath your eyes

• Ever since you can remember you've had baggy eyes

 

The physicians at The Eye Center provide a number of non-surgical facial cosmetic procedures to help smooth fine lines and wrinkles including Botox® Cosmetic Injections and the dermal filler Juvéderm™ Injection as well as cosmetic eyelid plastic surgery such as blepharoplasty or eyelifts.

The Eye Center is conveniently located for patients wishing to learn more about Botox Cosmetic, Juvederm or cosmetic eyelid plastic surgery such as blepharoplasty, from Denver, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Parker, Conifer, Evergrren, Pine, Bailey, Aurora, Arvada, Wheat Ridge, Westminster, Commerce City, Englewood, Littleton, Sheridan, Cherry Hills Village, Northglenn, Broomfield and Greenwood Village. If you, a family member or friend, would like to schedule a consultation for cosmetic facial procedure such as Botox or eyelifts, please call The Eye Center in Denver, Colorado at 303.777.5455