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Atlanta facial fillers

The Science Behind Fillers

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Facial fillers like Restylane®, Juvéderm®, and Radiesse® are among the most popular and best-known ways to diminish lines and wrinkles throughout the face. However, most patients simply know that fillers are injections that make their wrinkles smoother. Knowing more about any procedure you’re having or considering can help you better understand why certain products and techniques are ideal for your needs. Plus, many patients feel more at-ease when they know exactly what is being injected, how it’s being injected, and why. So, to help you be more informed about your facial rejuvenation choices, we’re delving a little deeper into the science behind dermal fillers and how they actually work.

The Science Behind Facial FillersVolumizers vs. Stimulators

The overall goal of fillers is to “fill in” wrinkles by plumping up the skin, and in some cases, to restore more youthful contours to your face. There are two general ways this can be done: by placing a temporary amount of volume (“volumizers”) or by causing your own body to produce more collagen—the protein that gives your skin youthful volume and firmness (“stimulators”). Volumizers produce results that are visible nearly immediately, but they generally last around 6-9 months as your body naturally breaks them down. Stimulators, on the other hand, produce much longer-lasting results, but because they rely on your body’s own processes, the results take longer to develop. Some facial fillers, however, combine both: they provide temporary volume while the body works on building collagen, so that the improved appearance continues even after the volumizer has broken down.

Types of Fillers

Within the categories of volumizers and stimulators, there are a number of different chemicals and compounds that can be used to make facial fillers. At my plastic surgery office in Atlanta, we offer the following types:

  • Hyaluronic Acid (Restylane®, Juvéderm®)

Hyaluronic acid (or HA) is actually a substance that occurs naturally in your body, so the manufactured HA mimics a natural chemical. HA is a volumizer, so it offers temporary volume which lasts for approximately 6-9 months, depending on the brand and your body’s natural metabolism.

  • Calcium Hydroxylapatite (Radiesse®)

This unique formula combines both volumizing and stimulating effects. The calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) is suspended in a gel, and while the gel creates temporary volume, the CaHA is stimulating new collagen. As a result, the results typically last one year or more.

Combining Facial Fillers with Other Facial Rejuvenation Methods

Dermal fillers have a number of advantages: the appointment takes just minutes to complete, they’re minimally invasive, and they’re able to target very specific wrinkles. However, they won’t address sagging skin, age spots, or expression lines. In these cases, filler injections are very easy to combine with other facial rejuvenation treatments. For instance, a Band Aid Mini Facelift can resolve sagging jowls and lift the mid-face, while fillers can address the remaining wrinkles or volume loss, resulting in a significantly younger yet natural-looking appearance. If you also have age spots or other surface imperfections you would like to address, these can typically be treated with Band Aid Laser Skin Resurfacing as an additional way to enhance your results.

When some patients want a cosmetic change, they simply go to their plastic surgeon and ask, “What can you do about this problem?” But in the digital age, it’s becoming easier and easier for patients to learn about a variety of procedures online. While being informed can be very beneficial in allowing you to understand your needs and your options, it’s important to only get your information from trusted, accurate sources and to rely on the advice of your board-certified plastic surgeon rather than simply taking your questions to Google. To learn what types of fillers or other cosmetic treatments are ideal for your needs, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. John L. LeRoy. Or, for more plastic surgery information and helpful tips, 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+.

Ask Dr. LeRoy: How Long Will My Facial Cosmetic Procedure Last?

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There’s no doubt that our society’s idea of beauty has changed throughout the years—just compare today’s fashions to those that were popular in the 1980s. And yet, one fact seems to stay the same—people want to look younger. Facial rejuvenation has long been one of the most popular reasons why patients seek plastic surgery. In fact, all of the top three cosmetic procedures in 2014 (BOTOX® and similar injections, facial filler injections, and chemical peels) are focused on minimizing wrinkles. But there are so many ways to accomplish this goal that many patients feel overwhelmed and a bit lost. So we’re tackling one of the factors that plays into our patients’ decision: how long the results of each procedure will last.

My patients have a wide range of options for facial rejuvenation, from non-surgical Botox® and dermal filler injections to the traditional facelift. Each procedure addresses signs of aging in a different way, and while Botox®/Dysport® and facial fillers are the only treatments that are truly considered to be temporary, the results of any rejuvenating procedure will fade because the procedure cannot stop the aging process. As the years go by, the skin will lose its elasticity and will develop new wrinkles. This is why the results of procedures like the Band Aid Facelift aren’t necessarily permanent (at least, not in the way that many people consider “permanent”)—if the surgery has taken ten years off your appearance, then in ten years, your aging will probably have progressed so that you look similar to the way you looked before your procedure.

Every patient ages differently based on factors like genetics, sun exposure, smoking, weight fluctuations, and skincare, and the results of each procedure vary as well. However, the graph below provides an estimate of how long most patients’ results last for several of our most popular rejuvenating procedures.

atlanta facial plastic surgeon

While it is important to consider how long you want your results to last before choosing a cosmetic procedure, it’s only one piece of the puzzle. The key to choosing the right option for you is to prioritize and balance your desired results with your needs regarding recovery time, cost, and medical considerations. The patients who are happiest with their results tend to be those who view facial rejuvenation as an ongoing process rather than a one-step project. For instance, periodic non-surgical treatments like Band Aid Laser Skin Resurfacing can help to sustain the results of a facelift and minimize those new signs of aging as they arise. To start discussing a plan for your long-lasting youthful appearance, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. John LeRoy. Or, to learn more about the procedures we offer, join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Start the New Year with Something You Love

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As a double board-certified plastic surgeon, I have always wanted to reach farther beyond the status quo and offer my patients procedures that produce subtle, yet dramatic plastic surgery results.  With 2015 officially underway, why not resolve to kick the year off with doing something you love?  Our comprehensive line of Band Aid facial plastic surgery procedures aims to produce the ultimate anti-aging results for our patients and we wanted to share some of the added benefits:

LeRoyJanSpecials

To help you get started, the John L. LeRoy team is offering great anti-aging and skincare specials that are sure to please men and women of all ages.  Remember to act fast: our skincare specials expire January 31, 2015 and rebates are while supplies last!

To learn more about Band Aid Skin Tightening, laser skin resurfacing, cosmetic injectables, or other procedures we perform, contact us to schedule your cosmetic consultation today.   Be sure to also connect with us through the Dr. LeRoy Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ pages for the latest plastic and cosmetic surgery news.

Make Your Season Brighter with Dr. John LeRoy!

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John LeRoy Atlanta Facial Plastic SurgeryThere are many things that can make a season brighter for people: YouTube videos of cute pets, time off from work to spend surrounded by loved ones, winter weather blanketing the ground in snow or simply cozying up by a fire.  For many this season, ending the year with a positive change or doing something you’ve put off all year sparks a motivation to mark off the very last items left on your “to-accomplish list.”  As a double board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in anti-aging procedures, I believe that looking and feeling younger is no exception to the list.

For the month of December we would like to help you shine bright from the inside out!  Now until December 31st, 2014 enjoy savings on our ever popular non-surgical facial rejuvenation procedures for men and women of all ages:

Band Aid Laser Skin Resurfacing – $1000 OFF full face treatment (regularly $2250)

  • Combats fine lines and wrinkles
  • Reduces previous sun damage
  • Rebuilds collagen
  • Postpones the need for surgical facial rejuvenation
  • Produces tighter, smoother, younger looking skin

Band Aid Skin Tightening – Package of 5 treatments for $1250 ($250 per treatment)

  • Combines the power of controlled, gentle heat and laser technology to target deep dermal layers
  • Non-surgical skin firming treatment
  • No anesthesia, surgery or downtime required
  • Enhances the body’s ability to build collagen
  • Reduces the appearance of lax skin and wrinkles

Facial Fillers – Rebates for $35 OFF each mL of Perlane® or Restylane® (maximum 5mL; call for details)

  • Effectively reduces signs of aging including wrinkles and lost volume on the face
  • FDA approved
  • Treatments last 10-15 minutes
  • Results can last up to 6 months

Latisse® Eyelash Enhancement – Buy ONE 5mL Latisse® for $180, get ONE 3mL Latisse® FREE (one rebate per person, first come, first serve; while supplies last – call for details)

  • Topical solution that only requires once daily application
  • Gradually increase length and thickness of eyelashes
  • Thicker, longer looking lashes seen after 12-16 weeks

For more on our specials and rebates, check out our flyer below for details.  If you’re interested in any of the surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures I perform, don’t hesitate to contact my office today.  We hope you have a great holiday and rest of 2014 and hope to see you soon!  To follow more news and updates, be sure to follow me, Dr. John LeRoy, on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.