There is no magic bullet to make you look better instantly, but some of the latest cosmetic procedures may come close. There are ways to soften the signs of aging and remove wrinkles without going under the knife, which can be time consuming and expensive. Some non-surgical procedures are performed in a doctor’s office and achieve results very quickly. Dr. Richard Zienowicz discusses the newest way to battle wrinkles in the war against aging.
by Dawn Tongish
and Richard Zienowicz, MD
A Desire for Youth
People want to look as young as they feel. There are ways to turn back the clock without opting for surgery. In growing numbers, people are turning to non-invasive procedures to keep a youthful appearance. Topping the list of treatments is Botox, followed by fillers. This is news that some plastic surgeons, like Dr. Zienowicz, like to hear. “I totally love the fact that I am sculpting the face when I use fillers,” says Zienowicz. He says there is an instant gratification in using a treatment like an injectable facial filler. “People come in and leave looking better. They don’t have to wait for it to happen, it happens right away.” Zienowicz says it is stunning how quickly the positive change occurs. “Sometimes they look in the mirror and they didn’t think that was possible.”
Just Right, Not Overdone
Any health care professional can provide Botox or filler injections; technically speaking, the procedure is easy to do. However, it really pays to find an injector with experience in cosmetic injectables. It is important to have understanding of the facial anatomy when most patients desire natural looking results.
“Everyone comes in saying, I don’t want that Goldie Hawn puffy look. I try to remind them that it takes a lot of product to get to that look,” says Zienowicz. He reminds us that the goal is a look that most people won’t be able to notice you’ve “had work done”. They’ll only see a more refreshed and vibrant looking you.
Is there any recovery?
There is some recovery after an injection, the severity of which depending on the area treated. For the lips, there could be some swelling. Zienowicz says intimate contact may be painful and could cause other problems. “It’s not a good idea. Things like kissing or oral sex could exacerbate the outcome after a filler injection.” He says that too often, people don’t think about the issues that getting back to a normal routine too quickly may cause. “It’s just a good approach to take a few days off. You have just had this product put in and there is a period of trauma. You need to rest 3-5 days, before you resume your regular activities.”
No solution is right for everyone, but with injectable fillers patients are getting younger, plumper skin without spending thousands on surgery and days recuperating. Zienowicz agrees that non-surgical treatments deliver results for the right price.