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Atlanta Eyelid Surgery

All About the Eyes

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Your eyes are the major focal point of your face, so it can be particularly frustrating that they are also more vulnerable to aging than most other areas, thanks to the many movements they make throughout the day and the naturally thin skin around them. The good news is that there are ways to turn back the clock and give your eyes a more youthful and energized look. Everyone ages in their own way, but as a double board-certified plastic surgeon, I offer a variety of methods to address the unique ways each patient ages around their eyes.

Atlanta Eyelid SurgeryFor “hooded” eyelids:

The upper eyelids develop a “hooded” appearance when the skin above the upper eyelid sags over the eyelid itself. This can be impacted by genetics, but it also tends to occur or worsen as the skin ages and becomes less firm, ultimately making one or both eyes look less open, less awake, and even less friendly. Upper eyelid surgery (or upper blepharoplasty) is a surgery which removes a small amount of the sagging skin, restoring a more youthful look. For some patients, this can be done with my minimally invasive Band Aid Blepharoplasty, which is performed in-office with gentle numbing for reduced recovery time.

For “bags under the eyes”:

We all have small deposits of fat beneath our eyes, but heredity and aging can cause these deposits to extend forward, “puffing up” below the eyes. Especially when combined with the natural thinning and sagging of the skin with age, these deposits create the appearance of “bags under the eyes.” Band Aid Lower Eyelid Surgery, traditional lower blepharoplasty, or transconjunctival lower eyelid surgery (using an incision inside the lower eyelid to leave no visible scarring) can address these concerns by removing the unneeded fat deposits and restoring firmness to the lax skin if needed.

For dark circles under the eyes:

While they make you look sleep-deprived, dark circles under the eyes are a persistent problem for some patients regardless of how well-rested they are. Depending on your specific needs, this may be improved by using facial filler injections into the hollow below the eye. Whether it’s performed with Restylane®, Juvéderm®, or another specific formula, this restores a natural-looking and youthful plumpness to the area in order to reduce the “sunken” look and the shadows it creates. However, because of the complex anatomy in this area, these injections should only be performed by someone who is highly qualified and experienced in the procedure, such as a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in facial procedure. For some patients, the best option may be Band Aid Laser Skin Resurfacing. Using a precise “dot” pattern of laser columns, this treatment eases a number of surface skin imperfections while restoring skin-firming collagen.

For wrinkles around the eyes:

Most wrinkles around the eyes (like crow’s feet and frown lines) are caused by a combination of two major factors: repeated facial expressions leading to tense muscles, and a loss of firmness and elasticity in the skin. Fortunately, there are remedies for both of these issues. Botox® and Dysport® injections temporarily relax the underlying facial muscles, causing fine lines and creases to even out. To restore the firmness of the skin, Band Aid Skin Tightening uses controlled warmth to rebuild skin-firming collagen in a non-surgical and non-invasive way which is gentle enough to be used around the eyes.

While any one of these aesthetic concerns can put a dent in a person’s self-confidence, many of my patients suffer from several of them at once. In these cases, most eye rejuvenation methods can be combined and performed either at the same time or as part of a multi-step process. To discuss how I may be able to help you be your most confident and beautiful self, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. John LeRoy. Or, for more cosmetic tips and information about aesthetic treatments, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Ask Dr. LeRoy: Will I Still Need Botox® and Facial Fillers after a Facelift?

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There’s nothing quite like looking into a mirror one day and noticing that first wrinkle. Some people think little of it, but many are bothered by seeing the aging process begin, especially when it happens earlier than they expected. For those who choose to fight back against fine lines and wrinkles, cosmetic facial injectables (like facial fillers and Botox® or Dysport®) are often the first place they turn, because the treatments are quick and easy, they require little or no downtime, and they can produce beautiful, natural-looking results. But as the aging process continues, patients require more significant procedures in order to achieve the results they want, and when they reach a point when a facelift or a Band Aid Mini Facelift is their ideal choice, many patients ask: how do injectables fit in?

facial plastic surgeon atlanta gaThere are two general categories of injectables. Botox® and Dysport® target lines around the eyes, forehead, and eyebrows (like crow’s feet and frown lines). These wrinkles are caused largely by tension in the underlying facial muscles and repeated facial expressions. When Botox® or Dysport® is injected into the targeted muscles, it blocks the signals that cause them to contract. This smooths the muscles and minimizes the fine lines and wrinkles they were causing. Facial fillers, on the other hand (like Restylane®, Juvéderm®, and more), address wrinkles around the mouth and nose, like smile lines (“parentheses”) and marionette lines, which are caused by a breakdown in the skin and repetitive facial movements. Fillers tackle this problem by “filling in” the wrinkles with youthful volume, and they can also be used to give the cheeks and the lips a fuller, younger look. Both types of injectables are temporary – based on how quickly your body metabolizes them, Botox® and Dysport® typically last around 3-4 months, while fillers can last between 6 months and 2 years (depending on the type of solution that is used).

Ultimately, injectables can be a great way to smooth specific fine lines and wrinkles for a younger but natural-looking appearance. However, they cannot be used to treat the sagging skin that aging eventually causes (like jowls and neck folds). When a patient has developed skin laxity, cosmetic surgery in the form of a facelift or a Band Aid Mini Facelift is typically the best option. Both of these procedures can remove excess skin, restore firmness to the facial skin, and reposition the underlying tissue for a more lifted, youthful look, but the Band Aid Mini Facelift is a minimally invasive option performed in-office with gentle numbing and smaller incisions for limited recovery time.

So, does a facelift eliminate the need for injectables? While it is fully a patient’s choice whether or not to continue their treatments, most face lift patients are happier with their results if they keep up with regular injectables (though they often need less than they did before). Plastic surgery does not get rid of every fine like and wrinkle – if it did, the results would look far too “tight” and unnatural. Throughout over twenty years as a double board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in facial rejuvenation, I have found that patients typically want to look like a younger version of themselves, and strategies like this can repair existing signs of aging while reducing the new ones as they arise, creating an ongoing youthfulness.

A combination of surgical and non-surgical procedures has helped countless patients continue to be their most confident and beautiful selves for decades to come. But there is no “one size fits all” solution, so it’s important to work with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate your needs and design a plan that is designed around you. To get started, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. John LeRoy. Or, for more plastic surgery tips, our latest special offers, and more, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Ask Dr. LeRoy: Why Do Some Patients Have Multiple Band Aid Facelifts?

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The Band Aid Mini Facelift I developed is undoubtedly my most popular procedure, and for good reason. After all, it offers patients the degree of facial rejuvenation that only cosmetic surgery can produce, and yet it’s performed in-office using minimally invasive techniques and gentle numbing rather than general anesthesia. But, as a brief look at our plastic surgery testimonials will show, it’s not uncommon for patients to return for a second or even third mini facelift. Why is this the case?

Why Do Some Patients Have Multiple Mini FaceliftsThe simplified answer is that aging is an ongoing process.  For instance, the results of a rhinoplasty (or nose surgery) will typically look the same throughout the rest of the patient’s life, because after the nose reaches its genetically-determined adult structure, it changes very little if at all. Aging, on the other hand, is inevitable and progressive throughout adulthood. So while a face lift will remove excess skin and restore a more youthful shape to the face, the existing skin will continue to lose firmness and facial tissue will continue to drop, eventually creating new wrinkles and sagging skin. You will always look younger than you would have if you had never had a facelift, but for instance, if you look to be 40 years old after your surgery, you will not continue to look 40 forever.

With that being said, patients return for a second Band Aid Mini Facelift for many reasons. Everyone ages at their own pace due to heredity as well as environmental factors, but it typically takes around ten years after a mini facelift for patients’ signs of aging to return to the extent that they appeared before surgery, so some patients choose to have a second mini facelift after ten, fifteen, or twenty years in order to address the new aging that has appeared since their last surgery. Another common reason patients return is to have a different area treated. The mini face lift is designed to target specifically the area of the face which needs the most attention, be it the cheekbone area, the jawline, or the neck, so some patients may initially receive surgery to rejuvenate their jawline and return several years later to also address skin laxity on their neck.

Another popular choice is for Band Aid Facelift patients to later undergo not a second mini facelift but one of my other facial rejuvenation surgeries, such as Band Aid Eyelid Surgery to improve “hooded” eyelids or bags under the eyes, or a Band Aid Brow Lift to address aging across the forehead. I also offer a variety of non-surgical skin treatments, which are particularly popular for patients who want to maintain the results of their facelift, including Band Aid Laser Skin Resurfacing, Band Aid Skin Tightening, and injectables (such as Botox®, Restylane®, Juvéderm®, and more).

Plastic surgery is more than simply a cosmetic change. To paraphrase one of my previous patients, it’s an added pick-me-up each day that contributes to an overall more positive outlook. While aging is inevitable, choosing manageable and incremental procedures like the Band Aid Mini Facelift can help you feel more confident and uplifted by your appearance for years to come. To start discussing the ideal treatment plan for you, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. John LeRoy. Or, for more information about our plastic surgery services as well as the latest special offers and announcements from our office, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Your Guide to Minimal Scarring from a Facelift

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facelift-in-atlanta-gaPlastic surgery has helped countless patients restore their confidence and take the stress of self-consciousness off their minds, but it does come with some trade-offs to consider, including scars. Patients who are preparing for facial surgeries like a facelift tend to be particularly concerned about scarring because their face is such a prominent part of their appearance. While scars cannot be fully avoided in any surgery, the good news is that board-certified plastic surgeons like me are experienced in concealing scars within the hair and natural lines of the face as much as possible, and that there are also many steps you can take before and after surgery to minimize your scarring.

Consider whether a Band Aid Mini Facelift will meet your needs.

Many patients know that they want to look younger and they know that they’ve reached a point when non-surgical treatments like Botox® and filler injections simply won’t produce the results they want. But some who think they need a facelift are actually candidates for my minimally invasive Band Aid Facelift instead. While it’s still a surgery, the Band Aid Mini Facelift uses specialized techniques and is performed in-office with gentle numbing (as well as conscious sedation if desired), and among other advantages, produces smaller scars compared to those of a traditional face lift.

Follow all pre- and post-surgical instructions closely.

While there are ways to reduce the appearance of your scars later, it’s best to help them remain as small and subtle as possible from the beginning, and one of the most important factors in the way your scar forms is how well your body heals. Many factors can affect your plastic surgery recovery, from what you’re eating and drinking to whether you’re smoking to the way you care for your incisions, and all of these will also have an impact on the appearance of your scar, so following the instructions you receive both before and after your surgery will help your body’s healing process and help your scars form as smoothly as possible. It’s also crucial to communicate any concerns you’re having about your recovery along the way, either at your scheduled follow-up appointments or simply by calling my office. Keep in mind as well that some patients are genetically more likely to have significant scarring than others, so your body’s natural responses will also affect your scars.

Protect your new scars from the sun.

Scar tissue is more sensitive to the sun than your normal skin, and sun exposure can cause your scars to darken and develop a more prominent appearance. We advise our patients to use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher for at least six weeks after surgery. However, keep in mind that sun exposure can also cause premature aging, so making sunscreen a part of your normal daily skincare can also help your face lift results last longer.

Consider Band Aid Laser Skin Resurfacing to further reduce your scar.

After you’ve healed from your surgery, certain skin treatments can be used to smooth and reduce the appearance of your skin by breaking down the old collagen and helping your body replace it with a more even texture. Band Aid Laser Skin Resurfacing is a minimally invasive way to do this by creating tiny treatment areas which work with your body’s natural healing process to improve the appearance of the skin around them. Beyond helping your scars to be less noticeable, this laser treatment can also enhance the results of your facelift by improving other signs of aging, like age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles.

Scarring is a part of the fascinating way your body heals and protects you, and while that doesn’t make their appearance any more welcome, there are many ways you can make your plastic surgery scarring as minimal and subtle as possible, and you can begin this process before your procedure is even performed. To discuss how I can help you address your specific aesthetic concerns while also keeping scars to a minimum, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. John LeRoy. Or, for more plastic surgery tips and other helpful information, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Looking Younger on a Tight Schedule

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It’s amazing what a difference cosmetic changes can make. If you like what you see when you look into the mirror, it can give you confidence, optimism, and the same feeling of pride you get when you succeed in other areas of your life, too. But looking your best can take time, which is a luxury many people don’t have…or so they think. At the plastic surgery office of Dr. John LeRoy, we offer a wide variety of facial rejuvenation methods, many of which require far less time than patients expect.

atlanta facelift surgeryIf you only have a few minutes every several months…

…consider cosmetic facial injections. As a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in facial rejuvenation, I offer two categories of injectables: muscle-relaxing medications and facial fillers. Botox® and Dysport® are typically ideal for fine lines and wrinkles caused by tense underlying muscles after years of repeated facial expressions, like those within the forehead, between the eyebrows (“frown lines”), or in the outer corners of the eyes (“crow’s feet”). Facial fillers, on the other hand, use compounds to replace lost facial volume and fill in wrinkles around the mouth and nose. Both of these types of injections take just minutes to administer (depending on the number of areas you’re getting treated), require little or no downtime, and produce results that last anywhere from 3-4 months (with Botox® and Dysport®) to two years (with certain facial fillers).

If you have a few hours every one to two years…

…you might be an ideal candidate for one of my non-surgical Band Aid procedures: Band Aid Laser Skin Resurfacing or Band Aid Skin Tightening. The laser resurfacing uses an advanced technique called DOT™ Therapy, which sends tiny columns of concentrated laser light into the treatment area while leaving areas of unaffected skin between them. The result is an all-over rejuvenation with minimized wrinkles, firmer skin, lightened age spots, and fewer acne scars, all with little downtime. Band Aid Skin Tightening, on the other hand, uses ultrasound energy to warm precise depths of skin, encouraging your body to produce skin-firming collagen. The results of both procedures can last up to a few years.

If you have a few days to a week every eight to ten years…

…consider a Band Aid Mini Facelift. I developed this procedure nearly twenty years ago in order to offer a minimally invasive surgery which produces natural-looking but comprehensive results with less downtime, less scarring, less bruising, and less cost than a traditional facelift requires. For those who are noticing the early stages of skin laxity, a Band Aid Facelift may be the ideal way to get lasting results, especially if you use non-surgical treatments to maintain your results as the years go by.

The popularity of cosmetic procedures continues to grow, and thanks to continued innovation, aesthetic enhancement is no longer just for those with a wealth of time and resources. But remember, not every patient is a good candidate for every treatment, so schedule a consultation with me, Dr. John LeRoy, to discuss your specific needs, learn which options can achieve the results you’re looking for, and find out about the financing opportunities we offer. For more helpful tips, special offers, and the latest plastic surgery news, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

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