As we get older, it is not uncommon for many people to experience some loss of facial fat, muscle tone and even bone loss that can result in developing a haggard or hollowed out appearance. When this occurs, the youthful, taut facial skin often begins to look saggy.
In our youth, typically the cheekbones represent the widest facial area whereas the narrowest is the chin area, forming a “triangle of youth”. With aging, volume is lost under the eyes, around the cheekbones and sometimes the temples, causing sagging and widening of the jawline and jowls. Often this changes the “triangle of youth” into the “pyramid of age”.
Some patients elect to have a surgical facelift, which addresses the sagging skin-but not the loss of volume supporting the fullness of the facial features. Improving the sagging but not addressing the volume loss can result in a “tight” appearance and even a gaunt look. By using the non-surgical technique of volume replacement with Sculptra® Aesthetic injections it is often possible to help minimize or eliminate the problems of loose skin and volume loss.
Sculptra® Aesthetic helps to restore the “triangle of youth” by replacing the loss of fullness in the mid face. It actually “lifts” by lessening the redundant skin that sags to the jowels by filling the tissue space thus smoothing wrinkles and providing a firm and youthful appearance.
Depending on their individual situation and expectations, some patients may require a surgical facelift or they may actually achieve their desired results with volume replacement alone. Occasionally, it may be necessary to use a combination of a surgical facelift and volume replacement.
Volume replacement treatment, such as Sculptra®, is relatively easy to inject and is biodegradable thus not permanent. Depending on the areas of concern and personal goals, The Eye Care & Surgery Center’s Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon, Christopher Thiagarajah, M.D., may suggest just using Sculptra® Aesthetic alone or combining it with other non-surgical or surgical options to achieve optimal results.
Chris Thiagarajah, M.D. is an Ophthalmologist & Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon at The Eye Care & Surgery Center in New Jersey. As a Fellowship trained Oculofacial Surgeon Dr. Thiagarajah is a specialist in the full range of facial cosmetic procedures to help patients look their best and minimize the effects of aging. These include Eyelifts, or Blepharoplasty, Brow Lifts and Midfacial Lifts as well as non-surgical treatments such as BOTOX® Cosmetic, Juvéderm®, Sculptra® Aesthetic and Dysport® to help smooth fine lines and wrinkles.
Chuckle of the Day:
A photographer from a well know national magazine was assigned to cover the fires at Yellowstone National Park. The magazine wanted to show some of the heroic work of the fire fighters as they battled the blaze.
When the photographer arrived, he realized that the smoke was so thick that it would seriously impede or make it impossible for him to photograph anything from ground level. He requested permission to rent a plane and take photos from the air. His request was approved and arrangements were made. He was told to report to a nearby airport where a plane would be waiting for him.
He arrived at the airport and saw a plane warming up near the gate. He jumped in with his bag and shouted, "Let's go!" The pilot swung the little plane into the wind, and within minutes they were in the air.
The photographer said, "Fly over the park and make two or three low passes so I can take some pictures."
"Why?" asked the pilot. "Because I am a photographer," he responded, "and photographers take photographs."
The pilot was silent for a moment; finally he stammered, "You mean you're not the flight instructor?"
