Ask a Plastic Surgeon: Are There Non-Surgical Ways to Look Younger?

For more than half a century, Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C. has been recognized throughout the medical community as one of the Southeast’s premier cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery centers. Our expert plastic surgeons have been published in numerous textbooks and medical journals and have conducted lectures, presentations, and live surgical demonstrations all around the world. In our blog feature, “Ask a Plastic Surgeon,” our APS doctors answer questions that are frequently asked by plastic surgery patients, about everything from facial rejuvenation to body contouring plastic surgery. It is our hope that these answers will be able to give our patients better insight into what is possible with plastic surgery and help them decide what procedures might be right for them.

QUESTION: I have recently turned forty, and even though I work hard to stay in shape and protect my skin from the sun, I have started to notice some signs of aging in my face, particularly around my eyes and forehead. I am interested in having some work done to help me maintain my youthful appearance, but am uncomfortable with the idea of surgery. I have had a bad reaction to general anesthesia in the past and would like to avoid that if at all possible. Are there any non-surgical treatments that can help?

ANSWER: Undergoing general anesthesia is rarely a preference, and although it’s rare, adverse reactions can happen. Fortunately, there are many ways that a plastic surgeon can help you look younger, using only non-surgical or even non-invasive techniques. Dysport® or Botox® cosmetic injections, for example, can help soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles caused by expression and constant movement, particularly around the eyes and between the brows, with a single ten-minute treatment. Some patients have even found that Botox® can effectively “press pause” on the facial aging process, temporarily relaxing muscles so that wrinkles form more subtly and slowly, as well as delaying the point at which surgical intervention might become necessary.  Additionally, facial fillers like Juvéderm® or Restylane® can help restore youthful volume to areas of the face (such as the cheeks or mouth) that have become thin or sunken, and laser skin resurfacing treatments can help by smoothing out facial blemishes, bumpy skin texture, and acne scarring, all of which make the skin look older and more worn. Each of these procedures can be performed safely in our office and does not require general anesthesia. In fact, many patients undergo injectable treatment during a long lunch and can return to work that same day with only minimal or no discomfort.

Every patient is different and has his or her own areas of concern, but with all the non-surgical facial rejuvenation treatments available, there is certain to be an option that is ideal for you. If you would like to learn more about any of the various cosmetic plastic surgery procedures that we perform, please contact one of our Atlanta Plastic Surgery locations. During a facial rejuvenation consultation, we can discuss your individual areas of concern and arrive at an approach that is customized for your specific needs. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ to get all the latest plastic surgery news.