special advertising section
A Head Start Nonsurgical aesthetic treatments let individuals be more proactive when it comes looking younger longer.
photo: getty images
By Rebecca Walters
MARCH 2021 Columbus Monthly
57
special advertising section
W
Face and Neck Injectables To diminish lines on the forehead and around the eyes—frown lines in between the brows and crow’s feet in the outer corners—Botox is the go-to treatment, says Dr. James McMahan of Advanced Aesthetic & Laser Surgery. The active ingredient is a neurotoxin that’s injected in small doses using a tiny needle. It works by limiting muscle movements, which
58
Columbus Monthly MARCH 2021
causes wrinkles to relax. “From a noninvasive standpoint, hands-down it’s Botox,” that’s most popular, McMahan says. But, he adds, another product called Dysport achieves the same results. “The advantage to Dysport is that the effects can be seen in about 24 hours, while Botox takes up to three days.” Both last about three to four months. Like Mudd, McMahan says his clients are using Botox earlier to minimize existing lines and/or prevent them from becoming deeper. Patients can expect redness, swelling, mild discomfort and sometimes bruising in the affected areas. Hyaluronic acid Goodbye collagen, hello hyaluronic acid. Injecting hyaluronic acid has widely replaced collagen and is popular among users because it lasts longer and has fewer side effects, doctors say. Juvaderm and Restylane are two of the more widely known brand names for hyaluronic acid injectable fillers, which serve to smooth, plump and diminish wrinkles primarily in the cheeks, chin, lips and along the jawline. The effects can last up to 12 months, and allergic reactions are rare because hyaluronic acid naturally occurs in the body, unlike collagen, which is sourced from animals. Additionally, if the desired results aren’t achieved, hyaluronic acid can quickly be dissolved using a solution, doctors say. Fillers are different than Botox in that they fill voids, or depressions, that develop on the face as part of the aging process; the inverted triangle shape of youth starts becoming more rectangular as skin loses its elasticity. “We lose 1 percent of collagen starting around age 20, so when we are 40 years old, 20 percent of our collagen is lost,” Mudd says.
Now, instead of just filling a void, hyaluronic acid injectables are being sought out by younger patients to increase volume, especially for achieving fuller, more youthfullooking lips, McMahan says. There’s also a host of medical-grade and over-the-counter hyaluronic acid serums and moisturizers. These products are good for hydrating the skin, Lichten says, but hyaluronic acid is most effective when injected into the skin. For complete volume loss throughout the entire face, there’s another injectable filler called Sculptra. It contains a poly-L-lactic acid, a material used in sutures, that promotes collagen growth to treat deep lines, creases and folds, Lichten says. Fractional laser For individuals who struggle with brown spots, hyperpigmentation and scarring, fractional laser skin resurfacing is effective, McMahan says. With this treatment, a noninvasive, microscopic laser is used to stimulate collagen and elastin growth, which helps to correct these and other skin imperfections. In the past, this approach was used mainly on the face, but because of improvements and refinements in the technology, it can also be used on the neck, chest and hands, he says. The laser device and process go by a number of different brand names, including Fraxel, CO2, Pixel and others. Ultrasound Ultrasound technology is used to revitalize sagging skin, smooth lines and wrinkles, and decrease pore size. Mudd uses Sofwave ultrasound on her patients and says it works well to stimulate collagen, resulting in an overall
photos: getty images
hile facelifts and tummy tucks undoubtedly deliver results, patients are increasingly looking to nonsurgical cosmetic procedures and treatments to help them look as good as they feel. With injectables, lasers, fat-freezing and radiofrequency techniques, it’s easier to enhance and preserve a youthful appearance without going under the knife. Benefits include less down time, fewer side effects and faster results, according to Central Ohio cosmetic and aesthetic physicians. And, rather than trying to turn back time, patients these days are taking preemptive measures to slow the signs of aging. Instead of rejuvenating, clients are “prejuvenating,” says Dr. Mary Beth Mudd of New You Center for Advanced Medical Aesthetics. The antiaging buzzword describes a method that combines prevention and rejuvenation. The preventive approach includes eating a proper diet, exercising, using sunscreen and not smoking to keep one’s skin and body looking and feeling good, says Dr. Jason Lichten of Central Ohio Plastic Surgery. “There’s no true substitute for a healthy lifestyle,” Lichten says. “But even despite our best efforts, there might be areas that need a little help.” When patients first come in, they say they don’t like this or that, and they often use words like “tired, angry, sad or old” to describe themselves, he says. “What we, as doctors, see is just a loss of volume, and it’s a natural part of the aging process.” This is where the restorative side of the equation comes into play. Instead of waiting until their later years to seek cosmetic or plastic surgery, clients—the vast majority of whom are women—are taking action earlier and liking what they see. “People are coming in at an earlier age so they can age more gracefully,” Mudd says. Here’s a look at some up-and-coming products and procedures that are available in the Central Ohio area, as well as those that are tried-and-true.
special advertising section
tightening of the skin and lifting of brows, without damaging fat cells on the face. Treatments take about an hour, are painless, and initial results can be seen in as little as a week. The full effect is seen in about 12 weeks. Micro-needling and radiofrequency Another process that promotes collagen growth and tightening of the skin is microneedling combined with radiofrequency, Mudd says. The way it works is twofold: Heat produced by radiofrequency combines with the penetrating microneedles to stimulate collagen production. This technology has been around for a while, but with recent improvements in devices, Mudd says the technique has become more fine-tuned in terms of how deeply the skin is penetrated. “Not all devices are created equal, and the amount of heat delivered is very important,” she says. The technique is primarily used on the face, but can also be applied to stretch marks and on the back of arms. Radiofrequency can be also used alone to help tighten skin on the face and body. Lichten says he has seen good results using the Apollo-TriPollar device, although he doesn’t recommend it for severely droopy skin. The procedure is relatively painless. “It feels like a warm stone massage,” he says.
says. The cost for a session varies depending on the targeted body part and number of treatments, but it’s in the “thousands of dollars, not hundreds.” Another up-and-coming fat-reducing treatment, from Evolve, uses heat and radiofrequency to target fat cells. Mudd says her Evolve Trim patients usually notice a difference within three weeks. “I’ve had patients tell me they can actually feel the fat cells getting smaller,” she says. Both CoolSculpting and Evolve have additional body contouring treatments that include skin tightening and muscle toning, though they’re not a replacement for maintaining good eating habits, Lichten warns. Doctors say to be careful of products, treatments or procedures that “overpromise and
underdeliver,” as they have seen many such “miracle” cures come and go over the years. “Sometimes it’s hard to know what works and what doesn’t. The miracle ads on Facebook are not for real,” Lichten says. “You need to see results for yourself and balance your expectations. And you need the experience of someone who is board-certified and understands the anatomy and physiology involved.” Of course, there are risks associated with any type of procedure, doctors say. Don’t be afraid to ask questions—before, during and after procedures—and tell your doctor right away if something doesn’t feel right. And keep your expectations realistic. Nothing will bring back youth, but swiftly improving procedures can help you hang onto some of its glow.
Body Body contouring over the past decade has evolved with procedures that promise to destroy or shrink fat cells, tighten skin and tone muscles, all with much less down time than a tummy tuck or liposuction. “The changes are subtle; your clothes fit better, and you feel better about yourself,” Lichten says. However, he cautions, people need to “balance their expectations,” because the results are “not the same as those achieved with surgery.” For eliminating or reducing fat in unwanted areas, people have a couple of options that either incorporate cold or heat. “CoolSculpting is popular because it’s noninvasive and destroys fat cells with extreme cold” in a process called cryolipolysis, Lichten says. “It selectively destroys fat cells, but not other tissues.” Patients typically experience a 25 to 40 percent reduction after a couple of treatments. Some common side effects include discomfort and numbness in affected areas, he adds. But for the most part, patients just sit back and relax. “I have patients watch Netflix or hop on a Zoom call during their treatment,” Lichten MARCH 2021 Columbus Monthly
59