By Dr. Stephen Prendiville
We’ve all seen photos of celebrities who we know are much older than they appear and we assume that they have had “some work done” or they have some magic potion that shaves years off their appearance.
The truth is there is no magic or secret potion. There are treatments and anti-aging options that are available to the general public as well as the Hollywood elite.
Facelifts and nose reshaping are some of the most popular procedures to rejuvenate the face, according to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, but there are many other options too.
Blepharoplasty, better known as eyelid surgery, can make tired eyes look bright and youthful. Many patients tell me that their friends ask if they are tired because their eyelids are sagging when they actually feel rested. The answer may be to remove the excess skin from above or below the eyelids, a surgery that can be done with minimal downtime. If the excess skin is impacting your vision, insurance may cover the cost.
Another popular anti-aging procedure is laser resurfacing of the skin. The laser beam used in laser resurfacing removes the outer layer of skin while simultaneously heating the underlying skin, called the dermis. This action works to stimulate growth of new collagen fibers. As the treated area heals, the new skin that forms is smoother and firmer.
The two types of lasers most commonly used in laser resurfacing are carbon dioxide (CO2) and erbium. The newest version of CO2 laser resurfacing is the fractionated CO2 which uses coordinated fractionated pulses of CO2 Laser wavelengths that are delivered in a scanning pattern to remove thin layers of skin with minimal heat damage.
Erbium laser resurfacing is designed to remove surface-level and moderately deep lines and wrinkles on the face, hands, neck or chest.
A non-surgical option is Virtue RF microneedling which delivers radio frequency energy to a variety of depths, regardless of skin type, to stimulate the production of collagen. It can be used for several facial rejuvenation treatments, including skin tightening, acne scarring, stretch marks, scars and improvements in skin texture. Virtue RF is the next generation in RF microneedling technology with less downtime, faster treatment and very little discomfort.
Younger individuals with minor to moderate wirnkles may benefit from injectable wrinkle fillers: Botox®, Sculptra®, Juvederm®; Restylane®, Restylane Silk®, Radiesse®, Voluma®, and the newest filler on the market, Revanesse Versa, but I always let patients know that while these treatments are fast with no downtime, they will need to be repeated every six months to maintain the same effect.
To keep your skin looking healthy and youthful, regular facials at a medical spa should be a routine part of your ongoing beauty regimen. The Hydra-Facial is now available at The Q Laser & Med Spa in Fort Myers and Naples and offers customized treatments for all skin types. LED light therapy, Virtue RF microneedling and many other non-surgical treatments also are available at The Q Laser & Med Spa.
With celebrities, it’s not always what procedures they have but the frequency with which they have them. The average person may wait until their filler is completely gone before they come in for their next treatment. Celebrities, however, have routine “touch-ups” before the look has a chance to fade. This approach is best because our skin is at its healthiest when maintained in its youthful positioning.
Dr. Stephen Prendiville is a Florida Board-certified facial plastic surgeon with Quigley Eye Specialists and is the Medical Director of The Q Laser & Med Spa in Fort Myers and north Naples. He specializes in facelifts, rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, facial resurfacing and other facial cosmetic procedures. He conducts regular free seminars at his office in Fort Myers. To register, call 239-437-3900. Visit www.drprendiville.com or www.TheQMedSpa.com.
Quigley Eye Specialists
(239) 466-2020
www.QuigleyEye.com