The focus on aesthetics and achieving a youthful appearance has been on the rise in the past decade. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), over 18 million Americans underwent surgical and/or minimally invasive cosmetic procedures in 2019. With this increase in the volume of cosmetic procedures, a number of new FDA approved treatment options have been made available to achieve the “ideal” look for you. The variety of options can be overwhelming, particularly when deciding what works best for you. This article aims to provide a guide on the options available for oculofacial cosmetics which can be categorized into surgical and non-surgical procedures.
When it comes to rejuvenation of the appearance of eyes, most people are familiar with the surgical procedure commonly referred to as an “eyelid lift.” There are a number of causes of a droopy eyelid and although all commonly lumped into the category of eyelid lifts, patients may require a single or multiple procedures to achieve an “eyelid lift” including an upper blepharoplasty, upper eyelid ptosis repair, and/or brow ptosis repair. Depending on the severity of the droopiness, the surgical procedure to correct the problem may be covered by insurance. Another common complaint regarding the eyes is that they look tired or that the lower eyelids are always puffy. This can usually be corrected surgically with a lower blepharoplasty which aims to excise the puffiness and reestablish a smooth contour of the lower eyelid with the cheek junction giving a more youthful and refreshed appearance.
In recent years, more non-surgical cosmetic procedures, commonly known as “injectables,” have come to market and allow for patients to achieve amazing cosmetic results with shorter recovery times. Botulinum toxin, commercially available as Botox and Dysport, is injected into facial muscles to temporarily improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles such as frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead lines. It may take up to 2 weeks for Botox and Dysport to be fully effective and the effects generally last 3-4 months. Another common form of “injectables” are fillers, such as Restylane and Juvéderm, which are hyaluronic acid gels used to temporarily fill or plump treatment areas that range from lips, cheeks, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, tear trough, and can also be used for chin and jawline sculpting. The effects of treatments with hyaluronic acid fillers may last anywhere from 6 to 18 months.
Another popular non-surgical cosmetic procedure is laser skin resurfacing which aims to correct the effects UV light and the aging process have on one’s skin health and appearance. At the Milan Eye Center, we have the HALO laser, the world’s first hybrid fractional laser, which delivers both ablative and non-ablative wavelengths to help treat wrinkles, irregular skin texture, sun damage, skin pigmentation, and enlarged pores with minimal downtime. We also have BroadBand Light (BBL), a type of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), used to restore skin to its natural beauty by making it clearer, smoother, and younger-looking by using light and its different wavelengths. The combination of these lasers can not only help restore your skin’s youthful glow and appearance but also maintain that look for years.
The field of aesthetics relies on the convergence of medicine and artistry. When it comes to aesthetic services you will find a variation in expertise and performance, ranging from mobile spas and businesses providing low-cost procedures to trusted facilities and world-class doctors who have a deep understanding of the medicine and anatomy involved to achieve the best appearance. At Milan Eye Center, we have Atlanta’s top eye care specialists who provide high-quality medical and surgical care as well as adhere to the highest medical standards and aim to help you achieve your “ideal” look. Contact us for a free consultation today!
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