While most people know about common facial surgeries like face lifts and rhinoplasties, many don’t know that plastic surgeons are now using dermal fillers and Botox to subtly change (or augment) the face without surgery. In recent years, the number of people asking about non-surgical options to enhance their face has spiked. This is in part due to the ease of the procedures, the limited downtime and the affordability of non-surgical procedures when compared to surgery. You also get the added benefit of saying, “No” when that judgmental aunt at your family reunion asks if you got your nose done!
There are a multitude of things that can be done to contour, reshape and lift areas of the face without any surgery. These procedures are done using dermal fillers and Botox. Using these products works particularly well in the face because only a small amount is needed to shape, lift or fill areas of the face that have lost volume and/or need more fullness.
The lips are the most common place that dermal fillers are used. However, they can also be used to contour the nose, from redefining the tip to smoothing out the bridge. Fillers can also be used under the eyes to fill in sunken areas which helps eliminate under-eye circles and, on the cheeks, to give higher, more-defined cheekbones.
One of the more recent trends in non-surgical facial augmentations is contouring of the jawline. This can be done with Botox, dermal fillers, or both. Botox can be placed in the jaw near the muscle used to chew to help relax them. This creates an aesthetically pleasing v shape to a woman’s face. Dermal fillers can also be used along the jawline to give it more definition. Fillers can also be used in the chin to create a stronger chin or to fill in unwanted dimples.
Many of our patients wonder how to get a higher brow line. Dermal fillers along the lower edge of the brow line can give your brows a boost, or it can be combined with Botox, in the forehead, for an even better result. This procedure is part of a “liquid facelift”. A liquid facelift is a combination of the right fillers in the right places, along with Botox, which lifts, tightens and firms the face.
Dermal fillers and Botox are true miracles when it comes to combating the signs of aging. Using dermal fillers in the nasolabial folds, the crease between your lower lip and chin, and Botox around your eyes and forehead can keep you looking and feeling great for years to come. These products are only temporary. Botox lasts 4-6 months. Dermal fillers last anywhere from six months to five years, depending on the type used and where it is placed.
If you’re unhappy about something on your face and want to see if there’s a non-surgical solution, schedule a free consultation with one of our Skin Care experts at The Skin Care Center at Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery.
