Plump Up the Volume!

Lisa Benest MD

Wrinkles, lines and facial sagging add years to your appearance. But you can fight back to keep your youthful appearance. Your dermatologist uses two types of injectibles – relaxers and fillers - to reverse those signs of aging. Relaxers, such as Botox, lessen muscle reactions so that the overlying skin becomes smoother. Fillers restore lost volume by plumping up wrinkles and firming sagging spots.

RELAXERS
Many wrinkles are actually creases that are worn into the skin by repeatedly making the same expression. Botox injections smooth wrinkles by safely relaxing overactive muscles, thus allowing the creases in the skin to smooth out. Botox is especially effective in treating frown lines, horizontal lines across the forehead, crows’ feet and vertical lip lines (“smoker’s lines”).

Botox treatments consist of approximately 10 minute sessions. There is no down time after your treatment, which means that you can apply make up immediately. Results typically last about four months, after which the muscles begin to contract once again. As an added bonus, if you begin your Botox regime early enough (say, in your 30’s or 40’s), it can prevent deep wrinkles from ever forming in certain areas.

FILLERS
For areas that Botox won’t handle, your dermatologist might recommend a dermal filler, a substance injected below the skin to fill up and soften the wrinkles. The effectiveness and duration of results depends on which filler is used, what area is being treated, and how each patient interacts with the specific filler.

Fillers come in three main types: those that stimulate collagen and tissue growth, those that replace lost volume with “filler” material, and those that both stimulate and replace.

Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm and Radiesse are examples of the last type: they are smooth gels that keep the skin plumped and stimulate the production of new collagen to lift and fill. Common areas treated in this manner include the nasolabial folds (“smile lines”) and the marionette folds under the mouth. Fillers are also very effective in the cheeks, for restoring youthful fullness, as well as the lips.

In most cases, these fillers last nine months, although in some instances the treatments can last for over a year.

The treatment options for minimizing lines and wrinkles, as well as lifting up the downward sag on the face are many and varied. However, not all products are appropriate for all treatment areas. Consult with your dermatologist about which product is right for you. And regain your smooth, youthful appearance today.

Dr. Lisa Benest is a medical and cosmetic dermatologist in Burbank, CA. She and her staff provide comprehensive skin examinations as well as an array of non-invasive, cosmetic procedures and offer a full line of skin care products. To learn more about how to take care of your skin as well as the most up-to-date treatments in skin care, schedule a Free Consultation with our cosmetic nurse. Check out our website for a complete list of all our treatments: www.lisabenestmd.com


Lisa Benest M.D.
1624 W. Olive #B
Burbank, CA
818-729-9149
www.lisabenestmd.com