Soft Tissue Augmentation Cincinnati
Soft tissue augmentation and jaw line contouring typically refer to augmenting (enlarging) areas of the face. However, the hands and body include other common enlargement areas. If you’re looking for simple improvements, soft tissue augmentation and jaw line contouring help. These happen in two ways: through surgery or needle injections.
The commonly enlarged areas include cheek bones, naso-jugal grooves, sub brow area, chin, lips, and the jaw line. Jaw line contouring achieves this. Additionally, wrinkle improvements occur with augmentation. In fact, augmentation may remove wrinkles entirely.
In order to achieve a more youthful look one, consider what caused an aged look in the first place. For some, aging means thinning skin, loss of fat, and drooping of soft tissue.
Overall, this causes a loss of volume and subsequent wrinkling of the skin. Rejuvenation of the face can include surgical and non-surgical means. Surgical methods include facelifts or implants, especially for the chin or cheeks. Non-surgical methods include needle injections of specific products. For the most impressive results a combination of products may be used. Over the last five years, new product introductions made augmentation and contouring easier than ever. Dr. Martin tends to use these products.
Fat
Your own fat plays a huge part in soft tissue augmentation. Firstly, the advantages of using your own fat include no rejection issues, lower cost of material, and possibility of permanent results. Additionally, because of body fat, you have plenty of material to use. For this reason, Dr. Martin recommends fat when grafting the entire face. However, disadvantages include longer post-operative swelling and the need for a harvesting procedure.
To harvest fat, liposuction techniques come into play. If you plan on having liposuction you should consider adding a fat grafting procedure. First, fat is removed from the body. Next, the fat goes through a cleaning process. Following that, a fat injection goes into your body with a special needle. Harvested fat cells graft into their new location. On average, 10-50% of the cells re-absorb over the next 3-6 months. Finally, the remaining fat lasts many years. At that point, you see permanent results.
Radiesse
Earlier known as Radiance, Radiesse consists of calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres suspended in a polysaccharide gel. The chemical make up compares to our teeth and bones. Additionally, the ingredient features in many reconstructive surgeries. Radiesse has two different syringe sizes: 1.3 cc’s and 0.3 cc’s. Radiesse is FDA-approved for medical use and for cosmetic applications. A common injection site includes the nasolabial folds. So what happens when we place hydroxyapatite in soft tissues? The ingredient re-absorbs into the body and replaces your own collagen. This creates a long-last augmentation.
Results typically last 6 -12 months, though some experience permanent results. Advantages of Radiesse include moderate cost per application, long lasting results, and the ability to augment deeper wrinkles. Disadvantages include the possibility of lumping which presents a challenge to correct. When choosing a plastic surgeon to inject Radiesse, make sure he possess the knowledge and experience necessary to achieve outstanding results with minimal complications. Dr. Martin has 5 years of experience using Radiesse. Currently, the newest use of Radiesse includes hand rejuvenation. For more information go to the Bioform website.
Restylane
Approved by the FDA for cosmetic use, Restylane occurs naturally in the body as a non-animal hyaluronic acid. It has a jelly like consistency and comes packaged in a 0.4 cc or 1.0 cc syringe. To start, Restylane is injected directly into the dermis (middle layer of skin). However, injections can go deeper. Advantages include no need for sensitivity testing (like collagen), minimal to no downtime, and low rate of complications. Disadvantages include some chance of lumping and less ability to augment a deeper wrinkle. Restylane lasts 6-12 months on average so repeated injections will be necessary. Cost is typically $500 per syringe. For more information go to the Restylane website.
Sculptra
One of the newest soft tissue fillers to be FDA approved, Sculptra is a poly-l-lactic acid polymer similar to a substance already used in absorbable suture material. Scultra is injected by needle into the dermis to achieve augmentation in the face. Advantages include minimal contour abnormalities and longer lasting results. Disadvantages are higher cost and need for retreatment. For more detailed information log onto the Dermik website.
Juvederm
FDA approved to last up to one year, Juvederm is a smooth consistency gel made of non-animal hyaluronic acid. Consisting of a high concentration of cross-linked hyaluronic acid, Juvederm offers a safe and effective nonsurgical option for smoothing facial wrinkles and folds including “laugh lines,” “smile lines” or “parentheses” (nasolabial folds), or “marionette lines” (oral commissures). A typical Juvederm treatment only takes 15 minutes, has minimal down time, and requires no anesthesia. Results are immediate and one can expect some transient swelling. Visit Juvéderm’s website for more information.
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Before & After Patient Photos
