Correcting Lip Wrinkles
December 23rd, 2009
Lip wrinkles or “smokers lines†are the lines that radiate out from the lip margin. They can be the result of aging, sun exposure, smoking, and /or genetics. They often may make a person look older. Women generally dislike them because their lipstick runs into the wrinkles, giving a pronounced pursed look. As I mentioned earlier this week, skin resurfacing may reduce these wrinkles. What is the downside? Invariably there is bleaching of the skin, which more often than not requires make up to conceal.
Fortunately there are other choices to reduce lip lines. Injectable materials have made a dramatic contribution in the area of treating these wrinkles.
Filler materials are currently the first line of defense. Products like Restylane, Juvederm, and Perlane are a few of the ever-increasing number of filler type materials on the market today. They are injected under the skin and actually fill in the lines. These newer products are based on a hyaluronic acid formulation, a natural component of your normal skin. Interestingly, when lip lines become apparent, there is frequently a loss of lip size or fullness at the same time. Not only can the lines be corrected, but the lips can be restored to more youthful size and shape, as well.
I am less satisfied with a couple other products that are available. Botox injections that are used to reduce wrinkles for the lips, significantly changes the way in which your lips move and I think it looks very strange. I do not recommend Botox into the lips, but it can be effective to reduce forehead wrinkles.
I do not recommend having Radiesse injected into the lips. The material is too stiff and firm to offer a smooth and natural looking lip. The manufacturer of Radiesse does not recommend using this material for injection into the lips, however it is often used elsewhere, such as in the marionette lines or pre-jowl area.
Donda West Death Results in New Law
December 10th, 2009
In response to the death of Donda West, Kanye West’s mother, the California State Senate recently approved a requirement that patients must be given a physical exam before elective surgery, according to the Los Angeles Times. The new law, AB 252, passed by an overwhelming margin. The vote was 37 to 1. This new California statute requires a history and physical examination be done prior to any elective cosmetic surgery or cosmetic medicine procedure that is performed in physician offices. The goal, of course, is to reduce the risk of death or serious impairment associated with surgery. Unfortunately the law does not address cosmetic surgery done in dentist offices or surgery related to body modifications carried out in non-medical facilities or surgery done by unqualified personnel.
I have always insisted that my patients have a History and Physical completed by their primary physician before having elective surgery. The most important philosophy guiding most surgeons, in an effort to avoid complications from cosmetic surgery, directly relates to patient safety. Risks are present in all medical procedures and surgical treatments, but certain steps minimize this risk. Yet complications occur and cannot be eliminated entirely. It is important to know that your surgeon has made every effort to reduce the risks and incidence of complications for any cosmetic surgery.
One of the cornerstones making cosmetic surgery safer is the pre-operative History and Physical. This medical evaluation is usually completed in advance of having cosmetic surgery. I require this evaluation to be done within two weeks prior to a patient’s surgery date. It was my practice as I began my career as a surgeon and it is a policy that I have continued for the past twenty-five years. However, I do not do pre-operative history and physicals on my own patients. I prefer that an independent, unbiased physician complete the examination, order necessary laboratory tests and finally interpret the results and confirm that the patient is healthy enough for surgery. I like to think of this division of patient care as an effective tool used to uncover any underlying medical condition that might lessen the safety of having elective surgery.
Whether or not your state requires this extra step, please consider having a pre-operative medical examination before all elective surgery.
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