Should You Permanently Smooth Wrinkles?

You may have tried temporary fillers and are pleased with the results, so are you ready to try a more permanent solution to smooth wrinkles or improve the shape of your features? “Permanent” certainly sounds final, but Pittsburgh, PA, plastic surgeon James Fernau, MD, explains that while they offer long-term results, you can reverse your decision.

First, we ask Dr. Fernau to explain who might want to consider implants or permanent fillers. “Chin implants are best for people with weak chins, and it gives them a more chiseled look,” he says. Facial implants are typically made of hard silicone, but there are other options as well. “Females can balance a rhinoplasty [nose job] and look a lot better—it gives them a more sophisticated, ‘model’ look.”

People who suffer from mid-face hypoplasia, when the cheeks appear sunken because they did not fully develop, are ideal candidates for cheek implants, along with others who want to accentuate their cheekbone area,” Dr. Fernau says.

“And lip implants are best for patients with thin lips and have been happy with filler, but are tired of refilling,” he says. “Silicone lip implants can be uniformly perfect when put in and don’t affect kissing, talking or eating.”

Another option is permanent filler, Artefill, or long-term fillers than can last a year or more like Radiesse, Restylane or Juvéderm, so long as the physician has determined you’re not allergic to them.

“Juvéderm and Restylane are best used in the lips, while Artefill and Radiesse are best used in nasolabial folds,” Dr. Fernau says. “Artefill is also best used in forehead, while Radiesse is an excellent [temporary] alternative and Sculptra Aesthetic is a more permanent solution. Often, fillers can be used in combination to enhance the patient’s results.”

So what if you change your mind? Are you stuck with your chin implant and permanent forehead filler? No, says Dr. Fernau. “You can take implants out within minutes,” he explains. “Fillers like Juvéderm and Restylane can be removed by using hyaluronidase, which can eliminate the filler. And Artefill can be removed by gently expressing it with a small incision with a needle.”

Source: New Beauty