Some of the most exciting information that has come from research in plastic surgery in the last ten years is how the face ages. We are learning that the most crucial changes occur in the soft tissue layers of the face, the most critical being the fat layers. The aging process then is a gradual loss of volume more than anything else which accounts for the sagging and deflated look we are familiar with as people approach their fifties, sixties, and seventies. But the process is already beginning as early as the third decade of life!
To address this then, instead of surgical procedures that only tighten tissues, often with a very unnatural look, the obvious approach is to replenish those lost soft tissue compartments. The hallmark of a youthful face is a full face, with plump curves that blend from the forehead to the brow, through the temple and upper cheek. The jawline should flow seamlessly into the chin and mouth without obvious grooves or creases. And of course the lips should be naturally shaped and just slightly plump.
These soft volumes once lost can only be recreated with fillers. Commercial fillers like Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse, and Artefill are excellent choices for small volumes, but become very expensive in larger volumes. FAT GRAFTING (lipo-filling) is the latest wonder treatment for the aging face because it is readily available in most people, over 50% of the transferred fat survives, and your fat is full of stem cells that improve the quality of your skin. Once the face has the more fullness and the youthful shape restored, the majority of facelifts and eyelid procedures are “mini” – most of the laxity has been taken up by reshaping with the fat.
Visit my photo gallery to see examples of this new wonder treatment of fat grafting at www.doctorptak.com.
